Notes From the Field : Chikungunya

Notes From the Field

- Nishant Ratnakar

Date: Monday, 11th May, 2009.

Place: D J Halli near Bangalore.

At a locality known as Moulana Compound:

"Have any health officials visited your locality since the outbreak?"

"No Sir. You are the first outsider to have stepped in here since we noticed the disease in our Compound"

That was the reply given to me by a resident of Moulana Compound at D J halli, Bangalore. Residents of this locality that houses around 60 to 70 families, say that at least one person in every house here shows symptoms of Chikungunya disease. "My four children also have developed Chikungunya" , says Waheeda who herself is recovering from Chikungunya. The families here live in typical matchbox like houses with most of them dependent on daily wages. Salaam, an auto driver, has not been able to earn his livelihood for over 8 days since he was affected by the disease. Most people including Salaam in entire D J Halli seem to be complaining about severe joint pains and high fever. Their mobility is restricted due to the joint pains.

Across DJ Halli:

"Any idea how Chikungunya spreads?"

"Sir, I think it spreads through air. See, it quickly spreads among relatives in the house and neighbors."

"Sir, there has been mixing of sewage and drinking water since longtime in our area. People are getting infected by drinking this contaminated water. Look, the color of water in this tumbler is almost grey."

"We don't know."

"I don't know."

"I saw on TV about disease spreading through pork in America. But we don't eat that meat."

It was a pity to know that most people on the streets of D J Halli have no clue about Chikungunya. The carrier of the virus that causes this disease is a mosquito. Very few people I met at DJ Halli actually were aware about it. As I walked along the main roads and gullies around DJ Halli looking for people showing symptoms of Chikungunya, I could spot stagnant water pools - the breeding ground for mosquitoes - almost everywhere. Nothing seems to have been done with regards to creating awareness about civic issue in these areas. The authorities have denied (at least when I was covering the story) the outbreak of Chikungunya in DJ Halli and have blame private doctors for creating what they termed as 'exaggerated news' about outbreak. The truth can only be revealed by time. But, if not Chikungunya, there is something spreading here. Everyone is showing same symptoms : High fever and severe joint pains.

At a local hospital near D J Halli:

A woman was being administered IV fluids. Her doctor says, "The blood tests revealed that her platelet count was low. This confirmed an infection and symptoms are of Chikungunya. the actual confirmatory tests of Chikungunya costs around 1500 rupees in any of the city labs. But, most people arriving here including this patient are not in a position to spend so much. Hence, based on the symptoms, the doctors start the treatment. The cost of medicine for the entire duration of treatment is also slightly expensive. Also, Chikungunya patient needs to rest a lot for speedy recovery. But some of the patients here are breadwinners of the family and are daily wage workers. So you can understand the situation I hope?"

I guess 'Right to good health' isn't covered under any of the fundamental rights provided by Indian constitution. But, don't the Directive principles of the State say that state should work towards reducing economic inequality as well as inequalities in status and opportunities. Sixty plus years since India became a free nation. how much have we achieved in reducing inequalities in access to health care? Do our political parties have this as a priority or even have a reference to this in their respective election manifestos?

Caught Between Colored lines

A man sleeps between two colored lines marked by authorities inside a temple complex at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Bangalore, the silicon city of India is witnessing many infrastructural works like new airport, metro railway system, flyovers, underpass and road widening, with the idea to sustain the growth and development of the city. But for all these projects it has to acquire private lands of citizens. This has resulted in stand off between the state and citizens and the pattern seems to be replicating across the country with creation of special economic zones (SEZ).

Seen here are photographs showing th result of acquisition of portion of houses and temples at Bhavaninagar, Bangalore to widen roads and build an underpass. The work came to a temporary halt with residents protesting while a temple portion was brought down by the auhtorities. In these scenarios, authorities usually come to homes and shops without issuing any notice and draw colored lines marking the portion of the house that will be acquired. Sometimes multiple lines get drawn due to unprofessional surveys. Residents who are caught unaware have no say in the amount of compensation, if at all any, given by the state and have limited time to relocate and rehabilitate.

Right to property was originally a fundamental right as per Indian constitution. But the 44th amendment to Indian Constitution in the year 1978 relegated it to a mere legal right. This put any dispute arising between state and citizens with respect to the acquisition of private property by state, out of the jurisdiction of any courts. This allowed the state to acquire any land for any purpose without compensation. As a result, in today’s India there is no real right to private property and no protection against government land acquisitions.

Portion of the ring road near a traffic signal at Bhavaninagar that has now been dug up to create an underpass and requires further widening of road.

Portion of a temple that remains at Bhavaninagar after it was demolished by authorities for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

A man walks looking at what is left of a temple that was demolished at Bhavaninagar by authorities for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

A man stops and looks at what is left of a temple that was demolished at Bhavaninagar by authorities for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Colored lines marked by authorities inside a store at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Colored lines marked by authorities on the walls of house that was still under construction at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Colored lines marked by authorities on the passage walls leading into a house at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Paintings of Hindu gods left behind by a business house at Bhavaninagar after the premises vacated in a hurry due to portion of the shop getting acquired by state for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Children look inside an empty store at Bhavaninagar that formerly housed a rice trading business. The premises was vacated in a hurry due to portion of the shop getting acquired by the state for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Colored lines marked by authorities on walls of the houses in a bylane at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

An old lady stands next to the wall of a Anganwadi - a government sponsored child care and mother care centre - at Bhavaninagar, that is dotted with colored lines marked by authorities for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Colored line marked by authorities on the wall of a small store at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

Colored line marked by authorities over window of a house at Bhavaninagar, for acquisition of property for building of Kaderenahalli underpass.

A modern Skyscraper apartment in distance contrasting with a garbage filled dugup ring road at Bhavaninagar speaks about the state of infrastructural projects in the city and rest of the country. Bad project planning and management is coupled with the clashes between citizens and the state over acquisition of property for public purpose.

Vatal Does another one

Everybody in Karnataka seems to be cashing in on Valentine's day and moral policing issue. How can you leave Mr Vatal Nagaraj behind? The man who has ridden over a bull, a cycle, and even attempting to dirty governor house walls:D.


Here he was with his latest antic. His act did surprise most of us today. Usually known for publicity stunts supporting hardliner thoughts. Today he was taking a dig at the latest entry into moral policing camp, Mr Pramod Muthalika and his band of Shree Rama Sene.


Background to the below set of photographs... Muthalik camp had threatened young lovers that if they were spotted on the streets on valentines day, then they would forcibly be married off.


Thursday, 12th February 2009: Politician Vatal Nagaraj conducted a mock wedding of two donkeys namely Rati and Manmata at the Legislature House premises. The wedding took a dig on Pramod Muthalik and Rama Sene stand on opposing Valentines day and their threat of forcibly marrying off unmarried couples spotted on Valentines day. Vatal said that young couples should feel safe in Bangalore on Valentines day.

The Doc of small things

The doc of small things

Originally uploaded by travelling writer

My photos for Malvika Tegta's article on Dr G Venkatesh, a man whose passion lies is in robotics....... taking robotics to all age groups...

published in DNA, Bangalore edition. 25th Jnauary 2009, page 14.

People in News - Part 1

For me, 2007 had been a year of learning the nuances of press photography. One of the things with working in a daily newspaper is getting the images of people making the news, especially at the moment they make news!

And if the story revolves around global terrorism, then you can expect a horde of journalists there. This was during July 2007 and I was then working at Bangalore Mirror. A terrorist attack had taken place at Glasgow airport, with the alleged bomber being dead, his brother and cousin who were continents apart were suspects now. Doctor Haneef, the cousin of the 'Glasgow Bomber' was detained in Australia. Firdous, the wife of Dr. Haneef and their newly born child were in Bangalore city. Also in the city were Haneef's mother and brother. And that led to world media's attention to Bangalore city for nearly a month. Haneef's mother and brother were not interacting with the media. It was his wife who became a regular spokesperson during the entire ordeal.

Most of us spent those months camping on the street where Firdous lived. Every time a development took place in Haneef's case in Australia, Firdous was immediately asked to give a response to the media. This led to a series of impromptu press conferences arranged at the gate of her parental bungalow in Bangalore.

All the newspapers, TV channels and news agencies needed the visuals of this family. They were after all 'the people in news' then. One had to literally fight with one another to get a suitable vantage point to capture the visuals. I sometimes took up a sniper like position to experiment and get a different image, rather than a monotonous close-up portrait. But, you can't have this luxury all the time:-)

Fast forward to 29th July 2007

All charges against Dr Haneef were dropped and he was returning home a free man. There were media persons everywhere. At airports, in the same aircraft as his, on the roads, outside his in-laws' home and, also inside their home. I was one among the countless photographers stationed inside their home trying to document in images the frenzied moments. The truth was that media persons outnumbered the relatives inside the house:-). Here are a series of news photographs made by me (we were there till 2 a.m in the morning) as and when he arrived home that late evening.

Seen in this photograph is Firdous Arshiya, wife of Dr Haneef dressed up to welcome her husband. Dr Mohammed Haneef after being freed from all charges related to Glasgow Terror blasts was returning from Australia with his cousin Imran and was to arrive at his Father-in-Law's home at BTM Layout in Bangalore late night on Sunday, 29th July 2007.

Relatives of Doctor Haneef waiting on the terrace with rose petals to welcome him home.


Doctor Haneef stepping out of the car amidst media frenzy at his Father-in-law's home.


Doctor Haneef being welcomed with flowers amidst media frenzy, as he arrives at his Father-in-law's home.


Doctor Haneef managing to step inside his Father-in-law's home amidst scenes of media frenzy.

Doctor Haneef being escorted inside by his cousin Imran.

Relatives of Doctor Haneef are excited to get a first glimpse of him after his return to India.


Doctor Haneef smiles and waves for the media cameras for the first time after his arrival at his in-laws' residence.


Doctor Haneef and his relatives having a discussion while media persons wait for him speak.


Doctor Haneef reads out a written speech that was handed to him by his cousin, after which he was rushed to a room away from the media.


Irony with this assignment was that, my newspaper was a compact/tabloid. And the deadline for the pages to be sent for the printing press was 10:00 p.m. Doctor Haneef arrived well past 10.. So these images remain unpublished.....