The Hindu : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reporter's Diary

THE LOWER income group voters are more keen on exercising their franchise than those better off. This despite many industries and businesses giving a day off to their employees on the election day.

Any number of reasons can be given for this apathy. Ask the middle class urban voter and pat comes the reply: "All politicians are equally bad, why should we vote for either of them?" Probe a little further, and the voter will sheepishly admit that he or she is not even aware who are the candidates for that constituency. Many don't even remember which constituency they come under.

The same apathy was evident during the issue of photo identity cards to voters, which has been going for several weeks now. The typical working class family and even slum dwellers whose address exists only on paper, line up to get their photos taken and cards issued. Hardly any middle class and wealthy citizens bother to turn up. It is another story that such people never think twice about standing in a lone line to get a visa to travel to a Western country or the indignity of being asked rather personal questions by a visa officer.

* * *

CRICKET FEVER is all pervasive particularly when India and Pakistan are playing each other. The solemn task of accreditation and assessment is no exception to this.

At a recent seminar organised by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) here, its Director V.S. Prasad used cricketing lingo to describe NAAC and its functions.

"Ours is a very small team of 11 members. And to make matters worse, we have no B team in reserve," he said.

And his audience laughed appreciatively, Prof. Prasad went on to say that just as it was with the Indian cricket team, expectations were high (with us) before each game. "And even if we win, we get a lot of criticism," he added.

Sourav, here is someone who understands your position.

* * *

THE ADVENT of multiplexes in the city may have done a world of good for film freaks.

But everything comes with a price. The Innovative Multiplex at Marathahalli is riddled with parking problems.

With three to four films being screened at the same time, the uniformity of show timings goes for a toss. Unless the parking is streamlined, people are stranded amidst cars and two-wheelers.

At one of these multiplexes, a couple recently found their car in the middle of a jungle of vehicles, after came out from a how.

By K. Satyamurty, Divya Sreedharan and Rasheed Kappan

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