Stock those essential drugs, for you might not find it in the days to come..

There is scarcity of at least 886 basic essential drugs in City which account for unavailability of at least 4,000 brands of medicines leaving the patients in a helpless state. customers unfortunately are at the receiving end of the tussle between manufacturers, wholesalers and chemists.

The City had been witnessing paucity of drugs since June owing to the change in prices according to the new Drug Price Control Order norms. While a short deadline of 45 days was given for the manufacturers to repack the medicines which contained the 886 drugs with new prices printed on them, they found it a Herculean task to complete.  Karnataka Chemists & Druggists Association President Guddodji said they were unhappy as their margin has not been take into consideration by the policy makers. “The manufacturers have got atleast 200 per cent increase in profit for non-scheduled drugs which have helped them cope for the price reduction for scheduled drugs,” he added while the retailers margin has been reduced by nearly four per cent. According to the norms set, chemists ought to get an average 16 per cent margin, while in the current situation they are getting 3.2 per cent less. 

Raveesha from Srirampura, who must take her daily dosage of Gardinal, used for treating epilepsy, said “every time my medicines are over, I have to search for it atleast in about five shops as they tell me they are out of stock.” Trouble continues to exist even after four months since the government ordered a price reduction (Drug Price Control Order) in 348 molecules that are considered essential and in turn struck a deal to increase the price for the non scheduled ones. 

  P Manjunath, chemist at Guru Pharmacy said "though there is a demand for medicines to be taken on a daily basis, we are unable to deliver it as the chemists' margin has been reduced."  There are also repeated complaints by patients about the unavailability of these medicines, he added. The medicines include those used to treat thyroid, blood pressure, hypertension and epilepsy. Besides, atenolol, thyronorm and amlodepin are a few injections which also include those containing cefotaxime, an antibiotic.  

“For me, it is a necessary to take Loshar 50 to treat blood pressure. I travel all the way from Yeshwantpur to RT Nagar to find this medicine” said Kumar who has now kept a stock of the medicine.  There is also dearth for a great range of antibiotics that have the drug Augumentin used to treat complications including pneumonia, sinusitis and bronchitis. “There is no immediate problem as doctors are subscribing alternative medicines. Once the stock is over, the problem is certain to rise,” said a chemist from Hitesh Medicals.
Insulin (used to treat diabetes), gardinol and epitone(used to treat blood pressure), atorvastin (used to treat cholesterol) and also sleeping pills including alprax, anxit and restyl are likely to be unseen in the market in a month’s time.  

THE SEASON CLOCK

graphics- Reshma R 

I wake up to a morning cup of tea with a dash of ginger, an extra spoon of sugar, certainly brewed to perfection. The bed, the culprit so to say pulls me back to sleep.

   With the rains giving the city a clean wash on the previous night, the city has a pleasant breeze in the morning. Cold air sneaks trough the tiny hole in the window like an intruder in my comfort zone.

  I wonder why there is something to crib about each morning. While in winter I only wished there was just two more extra minutes to couch under the quilt, in summer, the hyperactive mosquitoes and heat ring the bell even before the alarm does. It is now that a fantasy thought strikes.

  What if we had the season clock run on a daily basis? To be precise, what is it was summer like conditions in the morning, winter in noon and downpour at night?

  The sun rays giving a warm kiss in the morning and pulling us out of bed to a brighter world, a cooler noon pacifying the scorching heat, making the hot noon meal taste more delicious and then slowly lead to the night when the drizzle scents the air with the aroma of wet mud. Wouldn't it be a blessing in disguise if autumn and spring visited us for tea time?

  My mom’s call after five rounds of the alarm snooze drags me to the world of reality. It is then that I wonder- Hey when would the watermelons and mangoes come into the market if this happened?   

Reshma R

LEAVING THAT MARKS SHEET BEHIND

What is the first question one would be asked on entering a new college for admission? What goes on top of the resume right after your name? If you still presume that is the academic scores, you probably are having jet-lag of a decade. It is no more a number game out there when skills and exposure is what a Human resource person is hunting for.

Marks can help one understand a person’s ability to learn but this, certainly is not a parameter to judge a person's calibre  When a student sitting in the first bench of the class room is focused on understanding what is thought in class, the last bencher is usually busy discovering something himself. There was once a time when the topper of the class was regarded ‘the brain of the class’. Not surprisingly, the phrase is now replaced by the words ‘nerd’ or ‘book-worms’.

“Blame it on the system” is not a rear thing to hear. From parents to teachers, each one tunes the young mind the chew and vomit repeatedly not bothering to understand the child’s ability to digest. A marks driven curriculum to a money oriented job, it all smothers the dreams. A shift for the good this way is indeed as a welcome.

From the importance being given to internships and work experience to a reduced appreciation for the centum, it is evident that today one cant make an easy career with marks in hand. What is in the top story and how much of the world a person knows does count. Are you 'street smart' is what a person is questioned. Being update with what is happening and being able to analyse a step more than what is just given is what adds a point. 

A daily newspaper might come handy before an interview than a text book. Who knows? After all, your interviewer might be worried about the diesel price peaking up. A need for aptitude tests for profession entrance exams and job applications makes it even more clear about the requirement. 

                          photo (the Hindu)        

           

A nauseating breeze by the filth water

 A walk through the periphery of Ulsoor Lake facing the Fire Force gate, the so called walking path, will have even someone with a bad cold feel nauseated. While the path on the right side of the entrance has a whelming breeze and a scenic view pleasing the eye, the other side could be described as an exact contrast to the same.  

                The place looks all inviting and attractive from outside to walk through with the water on one side and shrubs with colourful flowers on the other. One might as get grab their street food or evening cup of tea from those numerous stalls outside.  All said and done, this description would be valid provided one walks only towards the right. The fact that the path is not well cemented nor does it have a seating place for the visitors is also quite dis satisfactory.

               It would probably take only a few steps towards the left to discover that the other side of the lake has something in exact contrast to this. From the stench replacing the cool breeze to the floating garbage on the water that is an abstract distraction to the scenic view, it has all left the residents and visitors complain.

              A few steps from the entrance is Kalyani pond with flies and mosquitoes living merrily with no disturbance of any sort from mankind and the flowers left to rot right in there. Further ahead is that part of the lake that appears to be a dump yard, with all the garbage in the locality found floating on water.

Also, the fact that there are no public toilets around would be a excuse for many to litter around.

 A PINCH FELT HARD 

      It is a common saying that it is neither the higher nor the lower strata of the society that suffers. The higher are satisfied that everything is an arm’s distance away and the lower are mostly convinced that certain commodities are way too far for them to reach. It is the lower middle class hanging on a ray of hope with one leg on either side that feels the pinch of every price hike.

     It is rupees seven thousand with which Raju( name changed) has to run a household. An auto driver by profession, this 38 year old has a wife and two kids to cater to. And, in an attempt to combat the recent hike, he is forced to work overtime.

     He is expected to shell an amount of 2,000 for his twelve year old boy’s education alone. His 14 year old little girl is forced to stay back home and help mom as school fee for her would mean zero savings for her dad.   An ailing wife with asthma also does basic tailoring, the profits of which is just sufficient to pay the medical bills.

  

    A worried Raju expressed his anxiety over shelling more on the groceries than he did earlier. With the price of every commodity from rice to fuel increased, for someone who counts every single pie earned is a pinch felt hard.

  It is one typical case that reflects the ironic side of ‘hole in the pocket’. A count on every person from the lower income group affected by the hike also means a count of them whose savings are decreasing pie by pie.

     For a man from the lower middle strata with the responsibility of schooling of one and marriage of another, a monthly savings of rupees 1,500 only reflect that his dreams are close to horizon where every day’s sun raises and sets leaving him with a night of thoughts and worries.     

With inputs from Axi Tak

     

In an era of water wars    

The serenity that the thin streams of water flowing graciously down the hill creates and the sanctity associated with it is all deeply buried under the issues related to it. It was once believed that sitting on the banks of a river or at the beach relaxes the mind. Ironically, it is now, a cause for regional and National stress.

     The Cauvery, an assurance of life for many, flowing from Talakaveri, her place of birth is no more known for scenic beauty under the blanket of dense white fog. The paper that makes it to the tea table each morning has a different story to say, a follow up of the infamous ‘Water wars’ issue.  

     A glass of pure water that quenches the thirst dries the mind. A sense of satisfaction that it fetches along is in no time swept away by the scepticism of whether we will have to fight for the same one fateful day.

  An optimistic spirit that something might turn good at the end is all smothered by the stench of a nearby drainage stream or a polluted lake. Ultimately, it is a glass of water that has the ability of calm a frustrated mind thinking of the water issue.

     

Juveniles remanded just for 3 years

If convicted, the minor rapists will be behind bars for

 a maximum of 3 years

                 

       Ineffective law comes to the rescue of the juvenile arrested in relation to the gang rape case of the 21 year old national law school student. It is merely based on the school documentation that the accused who is termed to be the most violent will be tried under the juvenile law, this despite the fact that he is just 3 months short of turning an adult.

    Be it the Delhi rape case or the one that happened in the silicon city last October, the probability of an easy walk through is much high for the juveniles, the irony being that they do no deeds that a juvenile is entitled to. ‘Innocence ‘is what ought to be questioned. It is remorseful that someone who brutally assaults a girl and torments her physically is considered a ‘child’.

       From luring the couple into the bus to throwing the girl out of the bus, it was the juvenile who was a mastermind behind it all. The city’s boy is termed ‘accused number one’ and the most violent of the eight others involved. It is a doubtful if any of these characters signify ‘juvenile sinlessness’.

         This is one of the many issues that the country is battling against, infact something that needs to be addressed to at the grass root levels. Though the police are pleading helplessness as being handcuffed by the law and a majority is fuming about the issue, there is an air of cynicism revolving the same.

 

Woman emotions harassed and bruised

It is with anger boiling within and an emotion overflowing from the heart that every woman tries to express to the world her sordid state when it comes to feeling secure.

   The Delhi gang rape which has evoked an epidemic outrage in the country is one clear example of a sorry state that a woman is in; half the time worried about whom to take along with her at the late night hours and more so what sort of clothes to get dressed in. Sadly, a woman also needs to be told which route to choose while riding back home from work.

It is also appreciable that two woman MP’s endeavor to bring about a change and their strong worded arguments might bring about a potential change. It is quite disturbing when a handful of libertarians express capital punishment would be a little too much for the crime. It is high time now that issues like these be addressed seriously in a country like ours.

 It is bad defense when someone expresses that ‘a woman asked for it’ or she was ‘provocatively dressed’ or an even pervert term to use ‘inviting’. When 60 cases of rape get registered in the country, it is mere common sense that tells me that not everyone could be in bikinis or shorts.  Moreover, she enjoys every liberty to get dressed in the manner she wishes to.

 It leaves most girls in Bangalore in a state of concern and with a lot of questions in mind. It is also true that Bangalore is stealthily following Delhi with increasing acts of eve teasing and rapes. 

Say no for that splash of red

The evening breeze plays with my hair locks hidden below the helmet as I rush towards the signal with a hope to escape before it turns red. If you are wondering why, I can assure you it is no emergency. It is just to avoid having a splash of saliva escaping out of the window grills of a bus with some tobacco and pan masala in it on my vehicle.

   Oh yes, if my stars are bad, I end up looking, in fact frantically try and explore enough space to manage and place one foot on the road to ensure that my brand new sandals do not have to be on someone’s spit. On the other hand, I convince my second foot to stay on the vehicle hoping that my pedicure does not go a waste.

  I wonder why the literacy rate in India is low and the very next moment, someone from the BMW parked beside lowers the window. No, not to ask for some help to reach his destination but to leave an imprint of his on the road. It is then that I realize that there is a lot of difference between being literate and being educated.

 Let me also take the privilege of introducing a term to you, one that is a tip of the tongue phenomenon for all of us: ‘the civic sense’. It appears nice and heavy on a glossy sheet of paper and is sheer hypocrisy in reality.   

  It triggers a thought in the mind. Why can’t this be a good revenue maker? Considering the number of them committing this offence, it is certain that the fine collectors can bag at least twice the amount that the traffic inspectors collect for those still having a tint on their car windows.  

A woman who dared to...

“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.” 
says Eleanor Roosevelt. In a situation when the entire city was at home on the BMTC and KSRTC strike day,  it was Prema Ramappa, a 33 year old lady BMTC bus driver who dared to take the bus out of her depot.

 Threats from disgruntled elements or her colleagues’ precautionary words, nothing could change her firm mind. The duty bound Prema explained that she got into the bus despite her own colleagues trying to stop her .She said “ I feel my job is service to the public. This is the reason I found it necessary to do that.

 I also know that it is from that service that I earn my daily bread. That is the reason I found it essential to do the same.” She added.

 It was at Shantinagar bus stop that people waited just to get a glimpse of the bold lady and express their appreciation. Prema, unmindful of the consequences she will have to face made her trips to and fro from majestic to kormangala depot. “I could see how relieved the people felt when they saw a bus passed by. They also offered me money as a token of appreciation and a few invited me home for lunch” added the overwhelmed lady.

  Thanking her managing director K R Srinivas, she said “He was so generous. He handed over a cheque of rupees 10,000 with no second thought.” Prema was in limelight earlier too when she became the first BMTC women driver. The lady also expressed that given a chance, she would still be happy to drive the bus.

   

Ruthless act by the uncivilized.

 

The Mangalore incident is nothing but a shamefull deed done in the name of Hindu culture. Also considering the fact that they took law into their hands, it is definitely not something that ought to be ignored.

 Hinduism is a religion, more a culture where women are treated divine. What is it that the uncivilized apes who beat those girls call culture?
 Is it holding the girl by her dress and dragging her?
Slapping her so hard that she had to cry in pain? Lifting and dumping her like a piece of garbage?

 It is also extremely sad that those men had no second thought that a woman has equal rights as them. Sidelining the religion part and considering the fact that Indian culture is one such that commands respect for women and gives her a sacred status, it is definitely not acceptable that the men behave so. If they still take it for granted that their deeds are justified, it is nothing but sheer hypocrisy.

 Having a rave party is definitely not appreciable. Whatever be the case taking law into their hands or ‘man-handling’ the women is something that is not to be excused.

 The issue also leaves a question behind. Is it that the men who support this ideology find it easy to control women from looking good than taming their pervert mind? 

A Confession hard to make 

A suppressed guilt wakes me up each day,

Reminding me to confess about it and take my way.

I know it will be for you, mere dismay:

I have no intention of hiding it, yet cannot say.

At this point in time for you, I feel,

You conventions intend to stop you from getting to the real;

Its high time we, in fact sensible strike a deal 

It’s better to think our way than see for others, what does appeal.

A promise that you made still resides in my mind,

That a friend for me you would be, still... I’m tying hard in you, to find

Our relationship of sharing the same blood puts my thoughts again on a grind,

a fake chain of emotions do nothing but help this idea rewind,

Ultimately I know not, if with my decision you will be kind,

I confess not as I doubt if our age and conceptions can ever bind.

LOTUS LIVING

Many see her in a lake’s deep,

They might feel in ignorance she is asleep...

Floating, she stays on what she lives

The breeze brings lot to her that is full of false beliefs.

A hundred buds and bloomed flowers around,

Few are those whose destination is already found

The others just form meaningless waves around

Despite the differences, they are sold on the same ground.

Her efforts to grow better go in vain,

There is indeed nothing that can be termed as gain.

For she knows, she has to undergo the same pain

It wouldn’t be as easy as to escape from the rain

 

Identity crisis 

I lay in a cradle watching two people whom I now recognize as my lovely parents .I wondered what the discussion was all about for the words sounded alien to me .One could call it a debate in its simplest form. This was something that probably went on for two days or so .Of this; one thing was certain to happen .The winner would enjoy the privilege of gifting me with my identity.

This is probably what each one of us will imagine when we are told a tale of how our name was chosen.

     Being the elder daughter, a first child, I came into the family with a voucher of excitement for all. It indeed surprised many as God had probably made a last minute change according to them. The astrologer’s prediction that my parents would have a boy baby had turned wrong. Months passed by. People addressed me by various names such as ‘eh baby!’ ‘’chinnu’ …time had then come to give me an official name.

     As per the usual custom, my parents sought advice from their elders. They were asked to give me a name starting from the letter ‘D’ .This left them a little dissatisfactory as the choice was a little less. Thus they ended up giving the name’s sake name Dolly.

Then began the actual debate .It was decided that my name would begin with the letter ‘R’ as both my parents had theirs beginning with the same. Two names struck their minds out of which one sounded alien to everyone in the family except my mom. Reshma and Rashmi .Dad preferred to keep it conventional and mom, the opposite. A lot of arguments happened about the name sounding Islamic and was not found in the Sanskrit books.

        

       A day then came when a lot of people had gathered .It was time to reveal the name. The secret was first whispered into my ear three times as if to sign the same bond three times to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

A mystery still remains unresolved .Does the name exists in Sanskrit scriptures?

All I know is that it means something silky and delicate .When people pull my leg regarding this here is what i say. “Not everyone would be lucky to be named this way. Born in a Hindu family, nicknamed a Christian and official name, Islamic .Perfect Indian .Isn’t it??”

PSYCHO-EDUCATION. Boon or bane??

 

Indented to make a recovery, it contradicts the basic principles in psychology. This widely applied strategy is psycho education. Psycho education refers to the education offered to people who live with a psychological disturbance. Frequently psycho educational training involves patients with schizophrenia, clinical depression, anxiety
disorders, psychotic illnesses, eating disorders, and personality disorders, as well as patient training courses in the context of the treatment of physical illnesses. At times family members are also asked to attend the session.

Here is my bit of opinion from about the same.

Doing an internship at Spandana re-habilitation center was of course a great experience on the whole. Of having an interaction with them and taking a close look at their schedule, one thing that drew all my attention was the Psycho-education session included in their schedule .All patients were asked to assemble in groups allotted to them in a hall where a psychologist or intern is asked to give a lecture on a disorder that they are suffering from. To put it in more straight terms it is to remind them that’ they are ill’. Such sessions are conducted once a week .Doesn‘t this frequency sound little too much?

According to one of the great psychologists, Skinner, positive re-enforcement is always advantageous over the negative.  Ironically; psycho-education which is supposed to be the most employed methods goes right against this.

 It is not less heard that a person with ailment recovers when he is told his problem is nothing major and given a boost of confidence When on one hand it serves the purpose of spreading awareness, on the other it does of course pull down the patient’s confidence. The point to think over is that  ...”Would a patient who on the first hand needs motivation than anything else show signs of recovery when he is constantly told –YOU ARE SICK? “ 

Power of Fragrance

 Vulnerable a flower, stands on that meadow’s green,

Horizon is the limit of what it has seen.

It takes no wind but just breeze for this delicate one to lean,

I wonder what this stagnant entity, to the world could mean.

The sun’s rays nurture

Yet gives no comforting feel as that of a feather

The same source, when harsh feels like it’s trying to smother.

I wonder if he is even aware, how much to the delicate being does bother.

The lost energy is what, through water she tries to re-gain

 Pouring rain stands on her laying all stress and strain,

All her efforts to refresh go in vain;

It does nothing but adds to her slain.

It takes her a year long to understand the cycle is certain to repeat,

Stands she, against all odds confident, though she doesn’t seem 

It’s her fragrance that none can destroy be it the pressure or the heat.

The Scar

Amongst many things that along years we leave behind,

Past is something that never gets out of mind.

Though I try hard to make my present well defined

The guilt from within restrains me from getting refined.

I walk towards my destination but at times trip,

I wish to climb, but the support beside provides no grip;

I stuff all my carried over and pull up the zip:

I wonder whom I’ve to address it to when apology slips out of my lip.

A fall, initially gives too much pain,

People can spot it; though I cry in rain.

Though carefully I medicate, it all goes in vain;

For, there is a glowing scar that is certain to remain.

Just that feel 

 Ah! Down the lane of my life,

There appears to be no end for strife.

Tears roll down crawling on my cheek,

I see no purpose served when they leak.

With every experience being less a boon than a bane,

It so appears as if past is insane;

While some incidents happen just by and by,

Some leave too tough a mark, I dare not deny.

Wondering I am, if it is just the flow of ink,

Or for me it means a deeper link

Now all I do is to sit back and think,

Not everything is easy to digest, as water or a drink.

 Believe it or not things change in a blink

 Sometimes leaving happiness to shrink …

'Her day'

I would like to give no introduction to this post. Just run these thoughts in your mind and say “नारि शक्ति को सलाम !!“.

How would it be if grandpa had to tell stories at night n put you to bed ?

How would it be if grandpa had to prepare your favourite dish on the festival?

How would it be if grandpa had to put you on his lap all night long when you are unwell and still make you feel like a kid ?

How would it be if one day a husband had to wake up early and prepare coffee for his wife before she is out of bed ?

How would it be if a husband had to cook breakfast and make preparation for lunch before leaving to work ?

How would it be if a husband gave his wife a cup of good coffee in the evening when she returned home ?

How would it be if  dad had to get kids ready to school and also reach his workplace on time ?

How would it be if dad had to finish all office work and also sit back with kids to study ?

How would it be if dad had so much patience to clean up all our shelves and cupboards ?

How would it be if uncle took you out for shopping?

How would it be if your uncle had to take you on a walk to patch up a fight between you and parents?

How would it be if uncle had to convince your parents on an issue when they are against you?

How would it be if brothers had to write projects while a sister would lie down and play games?

How would it be if brothers had to cook for sis and family when mom is not in station?

How would it be if brothers could hide the silly mistakes that their younger sis did and still say “its ok” forget it?

How would it be if a fiancé felt it was still ok for his to –be wife to earn more than he does?

How would it be if a fiancée had his job transfered because his partner wished to study abroad ?  

How would it be if a guy had to surrender his ego apart and apologize even if it was not his mistake just too keep the smile intact?

How would it be if a guy let his girl  yell at him when completely stressed and understand it was not intentional ?

How would it be if .......

it all happened one day !!! 

men taking women's position and responsibility is not as simple as it appears to be .Right ??

 

that would be "her " day ...