BY Richa Dhodi
The increasing awareness of organic food and its health benefits have brought about a seachange in the consumption habits of Bangaloreans from all walks of life.
I like to have organic food as it makes me feel healthy and it controls my intake of extra cholesterol," says K. Rangarajan, an employee of the Life Insurance Corporation of India.
Mahalakshmi, a homemaker is a typical convert. Stepping out of Plant Rich in Hebbal, an organic food outlet in north Bangalore, she says that eating healthy doesn't mean simply eating boiled sprouts for lunch and snacking on carrots.
"We never give a thought to how much pesticide went into producing that carrot. Then why don't we buy organic fruits and vegetables for that real dose of health?" she asks.
Organic food is produced without using fertilizers, pesticides or any genetically modified product and is thus considered the safest and most sensible way to get the best health benefit from fruits, vegetables and almost everything we eat.
According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), the role of organic agriculture whether in farming, processing, distribution or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings.
Organic food is made using natural methods such as vermin composting and use of natural manures like cow dung, agricultural waste and natural pesticides. Consumers buy organic food for environmental reasons and also because they consider it to be more healthy.
The world over, increasing numbers of people are switching to organic foods as inorganically grown foods contain chemicals in the form of added flavors, preservatives, essences and many other ingredients we barely know.
Some argue that these "contaminated" foods are a source of illness by weakening our immune systems if they don't actually poison us.
"I feel healthier after I have been regularly eating organic foods," says Susma, a homemaker in Bangalore.
Organic foods consumers believe they also have abundant anti-cancer agents. "Lesser venom is the reason," explains Lakshmi, also a homemaker, who is a regular buyer of organic vegetables and fruits in Bangalore.
A major drawback however is their price, which is roughly 15-30% higher than conventionally grown crops. Jayaram, coordinator of Era Organic in Dollars Colony, Bangalore says farmers who grow organic food have to meet stricter quality standards to have their products certified organic. Therefore they have to use more labour and that raises costs.
But the buzz about organic food can be gauged from the number of stores that sell them in the city. 24 Lettered Mantra is a huge store in Jayanagar with probably the largest range of organic food in Bangalore.
About 80% of the stock here is organic. Apart from flour and rice, they stock different varieties of rajma (kidney beans), organic sugar and jaggery, pickles, oats, paneer (cottage cheese), yoghurt, fruits and vegetables here. It has also sells snacks and bakery products that are made without artificial colouring and preservatives.
Era Organic has everything required in the kitchen, from sugar to cooking oil, organically produced. There are over 16,000 certified organic farmers in India, according to IFOAM.
But there are perhaps as many small farmers growing food and grains organically. These farmers are successfully selling their products through the help of NGOs or community centers.
Today, Bangalore is emerging as a major retail market and well-heeled consumers do not mind spending some extra money on their health.
As Ramerwari, a mother points out, "It is very much worth the extra money. When we don't mind spending extra for gold class movie tickets or eating junk food, why should we crib about 15% increase in the grocery bill?"
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
City falls short of blood donors
Only two of the city's better-known blood banks report an increase in donors
By Richa Dhodi
BANGALORE: About half of Bangalore's 17 blood banks are suffering a shortage of donors, creating a major problem for people who approach them prior to surgery or after emergencies.
Only two of the city's better-known blood banks—Rotary TTK and Lions Blood Club report an increase in donors, but the others commented on the declining number of donors due to lack of awareness.
Deepak, an employee at the Lions Service Blood Bank said that the number of donors was declining.
He however, added that in the recent Blood Donation camp at the Railway Protective Force Unit this year the figures rose to 90 when last year they had collected 40 units.
With accidents on the rise, the doctors advocate for an increase in blood donation drives and dispelling of the myths surrounding it.
" Accidents are on the rise, and the blood required after the accidents becomes imperative in such circumstances," said Dr. Sumitra. "Motivating the donors to volunteer for the cause is very difficult."
Vijaylaxmi, technical supervisor, Rotary TTK Blood Bank said that every year there was a blood shortage of four lakh units in the state and Bangalore faced a shortage of 1.5 lakh per year.
The city falls short of around 2500 units that is 875, litres of blood daily.
Blood bank helpline, 1062, organizes regular blood donation drives targeting organizations with a large youth base.
Anand, Director, Life Care Voluntary Blood Banks Components said that there was a requirement of 300 units every month. He added that during the last drive, around 2000 people visited the camp but only 250 donated blood.
"There are only emergency donors and we have now appealing to the IT firms of the city to motivate their employees to donate," said Adarsha, a technician at Bangalore Donation Drive Society.
A prejudice about contracting diseases does not help the cause of the thousands suffering from the lack of stored blood.
"I am scared I might get weak… What if I get a horrible infection?" asked Nagaraj, a shopkeeper at MG Road.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
By Richa Dhodi
BANGALORE: About half of Bangalore's 17 blood banks are suffering a shortage of donors, creating a major problem for people who approach them prior to surgery or after emergencies.
Only two of the city's better-known blood banks—Rotary TTK and Lions Blood Club report an increase in donors, but the others commented on the declining number of donors due to lack of awareness.
Deepak, an employee at the Lions Service Blood Bank said that the number of donors was declining.
He however, added that in the recent Blood Donation camp at the Railway Protective Force Unit this year the figures rose to 90 when last year they had collected 40 units.
With accidents on the rise, the doctors advocate for an increase in blood donation drives and dispelling of the myths surrounding it.
" Accidents are on the rise, and the blood required after the accidents becomes imperative in such circumstances," said Dr. Sumitra. "Motivating the donors to volunteer for the cause is very difficult."
Vijaylaxmi, technical supervisor, Rotary TTK Blood Bank said that every year there was a blood shortage of four lakh units in the state and Bangalore faced a shortage of 1.5 lakh per year.
The city falls short of around 2500 units that is 875, litres of blood daily.
Blood bank helpline, 1062, organizes regular blood donation drives targeting organizations with a large youth base.
Anand, Director, Life Care Voluntary Blood Banks Components said that there was a requirement of 300 units every month. He added that during the last drive, around 2000 people visited the camp but only 250 donated blood.
"There are only emergency donors and we have now appealing to the IT firms of the city to motivate their employees to donate," said Adarsha, a technician at Bangalore Donation Drive Society.
A prejudice about contracting diseases does not help the cause of the thousands suffering from the lack of stored blood.
"I am scared I might get weak… What if I get a horrible infection?" asked Nagaraj, a shopkeeper at MG Road.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
I choose drugs, the ‘cool trend!’
By Richa Dhodi
BANGALORE: What the drug addicts and alcoholics need most is counseling and help. Ironically, this is what they run away from most say city's rehabilitation center owners.
"The problem is, people run from aid," says Srikantha, secretary of Sphoorthi. Srikantha feels there's a need for greater awareness about rehabilitation programs.
"They are unapproachable," says Jayanath, a counselor at Caim Treatment and Recovery.
He feels it is the stigma of being identified as a drug addict that keeps people from coming out and seek help.
However, a recovering narcotic addict, Suresh (name changed), feels that addiction can never be treated, be it with medicine, doctors, prayers or anything.
Anil Nelchandani, trustee of Kripa Revival Centre tells that school children, as young as 16, are also falling into the trap of addiction in their pursuit to be "cool."
Girls too, Nelchandani said, are turning to drugs, as they find it "hep" and "a culture to follow." Miracle Foundation is one rehabilitation center that exclusively counsels women.
Mahesh Prasad, Director Sakti Deaddiction and Rehabilitation Center, said that people from all walks of life are falling prey to addiction.
Srikantha of Sphoorthi said that addicts should not isolate themselves from society rehabilitation and should approach the rehab centers for help.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
BANGALORE: What the drug addicts and alcoholics need most is counseling and help. Ironically, this is what they run away from most say city's rehabilitation center owners.
"The problem is, people run from aid," says Srikantha, secretary of Sphoorthi. Srikantha feels there's a need for greater awareness about rehabilitation programs.
"They are unapproachable," says Jayanath, a counselor at Caim Treatment and Recovery.
He feels it is the stigma of being identified as a drug addict that keeps people from coming out and seek help.
However, a recovering narcotic addict, Suresh (name changed), feels that addiction can never be treated, be it with medicine, doctors, prayers or anything.
Anil Nelchandani, trustee of Kripa Revival Centre tells that school children, as young as 16, are also falling into the trap of addiction in their pursuit to be "cool."
Girls too, Nelchandani said, are turning to drugs, as they find it "hep" and "a culture to follow." Miracle Foundation is one rehabilitation center that exclusively counsels women.
Mahesh Prasad, Director Sakti Deaddiction and Rehabilitation Center, said that people from all walks of life are falling prey to addiction.
Srikantha of Sphoorthi said that addicts should not isolate themselves from society rehabilitation and should approach the rehab centers for help.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
Corporation performs ‘magic’ on Nrupatunga Road.
BY Richa Dhodi
BANGALORE: The newly-built subways on Nrupatunga Road, laid by the city corporation, are proving to be useful to the citizens of Bangalore. The second of the three pedestrian subways to be constructed on Nrupathunga road opposite St. Martha's hospital was laid on Sunday.
Work on the third is to begin shortly.Last year, the Bruhat
B a n g a l o r e Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had said that it would transform the look of the city in the next five months by constructing about 100 subways, also known as 'magic boxes,' in the city.
B Sudeep, a private salesman at St. Martha's Hospital said that the life of a pedestrian is always at risk and with projects like these, they can heave a sigh of relief. There were several others who agreed with Sudeep.
"Subways are a boon to the Bangaloreans," said Kuldeep, a driver at the Excise department, located on Nrupathunga Road.
Nrupathunga Road leads to KR Circle, which is a heavy traffic joint. The junction faces traffic from Cubbon Park, Mysore Bank, Vidhana Soudha and Shasadiri.
Shiv Prasad, a daily commuter on Nrupathunga road, said that it is good that the BBMP is constructing subways
for pedestrians "But who will look at the condition of the present subways like the ones at KR Market and Majestic?" he asked.
He added that many pedestrians don't use the existing subways because of the "horrifying condition."
Chikrayapa, the BBMP official in charge of subways,said that the Nrupathunga road subway was the second subway project of the BBMP that has met success. The first project was the subway at Hebbal.
Krishna Reddy, Chief Engineer, BBMP, said that there are four more subways in the pipeline. These are to
be constructed on Hosur Road, CBI junction, Chalukya Circle and Race Course Road.
"Chalukya circle subway will begin shortly. "A lot depends upon the availability of the land," he
added.
He explained the name 'magic box' to this project as about 100 workers, 9 trucks,7 lorries and 2 earthmovers combine and work together to get the operation done within 24 hours.
Each magic box project costs about 60 to 70 lakhs and the subways are designed for a capacity of 30 people at one time.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
City Witnesses a Decline in Fatal and Non-Fatal cases
BY Richa Dhodi
BANGALORE: The number of fatal and non-fatal cases in the city had reduced by 17% and 15% respectively in 2008 as compared to 2007.
Mohammad Sajjad Khan, traffic police inspector at Shivaji Nagar informed that in 2008 around 7159 fatal and non-fatal cases had been registered.
"Recent survey by the Bangalore Traffic states 793 fatal cases and 6366 non-fatal cases have been registered,” said Khan.
He further added that Bangalore traffic has changed due to the sudden rise in the vehicle population because of which, no planning can be provided. Moreover, according to him the 957 fatal cases and 7469 non-fatal cases registered in 2007 describe the “traumatic condition” of Bangalore traffic.
"But, this year some improvement could be seen," he added.
The citizens also seemed to be quite aware of the ever increasing city traffic and the violations of the traffic rules.
Adhisaral, nurse at the Manipal Hospital and a daily commuter of the Bangalore Municipal Transport Corporation said that every day she finds people jumping traffic signals. She also complained that she has witnessed many instances of drunken driving at nights and vehicles parked at No-Parking areas.
Sajjad Khan however, blamed the increase in vehicles as the prime reason for traffic problems.
"At the end of 2008, the vehicle pollution had increased by 22 percent in comparison to the year 2007," said Sajjad Khan.
M.N.Sreehari, Karnataka's Traffic Advisor said that there are specific areas in Bangalore recorded large numbers of fatal and non-fatal cases.
"K.R Pura is the heaviest zone with 595 cases",said Sreehari.
A traffic police constable ,K.R Puram said that the major accidents occur from 18.00 pm till 21.00pm.
Sreehari also added that large numbers of Heavy Traffic Vehicles (H.T.V) congest the roads. “ The road is also connected to Kolar District where there are no railways facilities," he said while referring to the Old Madras Road, which also connects Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
He also said that in Traffic East” hectic and heavy” Banaswadi, a ring road connecting to two highways NH4 and NH7 had 409 registered cases with the Bangalore Traffic police in 2008. While in Traffic West Byatrayanapura and Yashwantpur Road are heavy zones with 423 cases and 391 cases respectively reported in 2008.
M.N.Sreehari also said that the drop in percentage of non-fatal and fatal cases in 2008 is due to the increase in the number of traffic police and road safety measures adopted by the traffic department in the recent past.
"This year the strength of traffic police is increased to 2700 officials," added M.N Sreehari.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
BANGALORE: The number of fatal and non-fatal cases in the city had reduced by 17% and 15% respectively in 2008 as compared to 2007.
Mohammad Sajjad Khan, traffic police inspector at Shivaji Nagar informed that in 2008 around 7159 fatal and non-fatal cases had been registered.
"Recent survey by the Bangalore Traffic states 793 fatal cases and 6366 non-fatal cases have been registered,” said Khan.
He further added that Bangalore traffic has changed due to the sudden rise in the vehicle population because of which, no planning can be provided. Moreover, according to him the 957 fatal cases and 7469 non-fatal cases registered in 2007 describe the “traumatic condition” of Bangalore traffic.
"But, this year some improvement could be seen," he added.
The citizens also seemed to be quite aware of the ever increasing city traffic and the violations of the traffic rules.
Adhisaral, nurse at the Manipal Hospital and a daily commuter of the Bangalore Municipal Transport Corporation said that every day she finds people jumping traffic signals. She also complained that she has witnessed many instances of drunken driving at nights and vehicles parked at No-Parking areas.
Sajjad Khan however, blamed the increase in vehicles as the prime reason for traffic problems.
"At the end of 2008, the vehicle pollution had increased by 22 percent in comparison to the year 2007," said Sajjad Khan.
M.N.Sreehari, Karnataka's Traffic Advisor said that there are specific areas in Bangalore recorded large numbers of fatal and non-fatal cases.
"K.R Pura is the heaviest zone with 595 cases",said Sreehari.
A traffic police constable ,K.R Puram said that the major accidents occur from 18.00 pm till 21.00pm.
Sreehari also added that large numbers of Heavy Traffic Vehicles (H.T.V) congest the roads. “ The road is also connected to Kolar District where there are no railways facilities," he said while referring to the Old Madras Road, which also connects Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
He also said that in Traffic East” hectic and heavy” Banaswadi, a ring road connecting to two highways NH4 and NH7 had 409 registered cases with the Bangalore Traffic police in 2008. While in Traffic West Byatrayanapura and Yashwantpur Road are heavy zones with 423 cases and 391 cases respectively reported in 2008.
M.N.Sreehari also said that the drop in percentage of non-fatal and fatal cases in 2008 is due to the increase in the number of traffic police and road safety measures adopted by the traffic department in the recent past.
"This year the strength of traffic police is increased to 2700 officials," added M.N Sreehari.
Richa Dhodi
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media,
Bangalore 560 074.
Richa.Dhodi@gmail.com
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