Articles by Anisha Nair

Sanjiv Balgopal, on behalf of the association, had sent a complaint to the HSR layout police station on April 8th, 2012. He asked the police to investigate and take action. The letter contained number plate details of the truck and dumping, along with a CD containing pictures. In return, a month later, on May 7, Balgopal received a summon notice from the sub-inspector of police, HSR police station! Not satisfied with the citizens’ letter, Srinivas Reddy, Inspector, asked Balgopal to go to the spot, investigate and submit a first hand report instead. Speaking to Citizen Matters,  Reddy would only say…

Residents of Jayanagar and JP Nagar have a reason to smile. Karnataka’s Home and Transport minister R Ashoka inaugurated the renovated Chandragupta Maurya Playground on Saturday, May 19th, 2012. This playground is in Jayanagar 5th Block in 10th main. This playground, popular as Shalini ground after an old hotel which is demolished now, has a skating rink, net practice space, auditorium, and concrete gallery steps around the playground. This playground will be used for outdoor activities like cricket, football and volleyball among others. Children practicing cricket at newly inaugurated Chandragupta Maurya playground. Pic: Anisha Nair This 6.5 acre playground is…

Vijayan Menon, member of Citizens’ Action Forum and a Koramangala resident, Brigadier R S Murthy of HSR RWA Federation, RTI activist Chandra Shekhar, Muralidhar Rao, member of  Koramangala Initiative, Ramesh Sivaram of Forward150 (Bellandur RWA), Ganesan M of Save Agara group, and Citizen Matters co-founder Meera K, gathered in the evening. With the High Court cancelling Agara lake’s PPP contract recently, the LDA is open to citizens involvement to save the lake. The residents agreed that the 42-acres lake would be a big challenge to revive. Menon pointed out that without healthy water bodies to revive the groundwater table, future…

“I always knew I would be a writer,” she says sipping her tea. She believes that writing keeps her alive and kicking. By the age of 36, Christina Daniels has authored books like ‘Ginger lemon soda pop’ and ‘I’ll do it my way’. She has worked in Print and Online media. A movie reviewer, and a corporate communicator by profession, she is currently working on a book dedicated to the city that she has seen grow, Bangalore. Christina Daniels holds a BA in communicative english from the Bangalore University and MSc in New Media from London School of Economics and…

Less than four months since a High Court order barred commercialisation of residential areas in Bangalore, flouting the verdict remains the norm.  The HC had ruled in January this year on a petition filed by the Citizens’ Action Forum (CAF) and 12 other individuals. The petitioners, some of whom are from Koramangala, had challenged the BDA’s Revised Master Plan 2005-15 (RMP) for allowing commercialisation in residential areas.The January 27 verdict barring shops in residential areas surprised the residents as there was a big question about its implementation. The RWA members and lawyer Aditya Sondhi had second thoughts about the execution…

The aroma of the coconut oil being heated in the pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God's Own Country's food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Bengaluru. Fish Curry. Pic: Kumarakom Prawn pollichathu and Kerala Chicken curry is the biggest draw at Peppers in BTM Layout. The simple ambience with a few abstract paintings on the wall have calming effect and lets you concentrate on the food.Average cost of meal for two is Rs 250. Alcohol is not served. Karimeen. Pic: Kumarakom…

The movie 3 Idiots has this famous scene that talks about Gujarati cuisine. Watching it again again, my mouth started watering at the mention of Dhokla, Faafda, Thepla, Haandva... I immediately set out find some Gujarati restaurants around Koramangala. Gaanthiya. Pic: Aayush Anand Rajdhani in Koramangala promises to serve the typical Gujarati cuisine. The Gujarati speciality that Rajdhani serves is Masala Khichadi. This is one of the most popular dishes in Gujarat and tastes heavenly. Besides tasting delicious, it is also considered one of the most nutritious and simple dishes to prepare. It is made of a mixture steamed dal…

Balaji Kutty, 39, a software engineer by profession, has decided to give something back to the society by volunteerting. He volunteers with Association for India's Development (AID), which deals with various issues like Education, Agriculture and Health for almost 10 years now. He believes that his efforts to make a difference in the lives of a few children gives him a kick of inspiration and keeps him going. Balaji Kutty - AID volunteer. Pic: Anisha Nair What do you do as an AID volunteer?I joined AID in 2002 as a part of ‘Joy of Learning' activity. It involves making science…

It's time for summer vacations. Outings and travel are at its peak. People prefer coloured and textured bags making the military fatigue suitcase covers a passe. No more heavy luggages either. With more people opting to travel by air, baggage weight limits have also become a factor for the change in trend.April - July seems to the peak time for luggage dealers. Summer vacations is when the people flock to buy suitcases and bags.People prefer suitcases made of polycarbonate plastic, as they are lightweight, durable and trendy. These bags come with a choice of two and four wheels. They are…

The 18-year-old landmark restaurant Udupi Garden on 2nd cross, 16th main, BTM II stage,  has been demolished for renovation. People who did not know about the renovation work were surprised and wondered if their favourite restaurant is closing down. Since the restaurant had water leakage issues during rains, it is being renovated on customers' request. Rs 2.5 crores is cost of the complete renovation. The renewed restaurant will include a party hall on the upper floor, an AC hall and seating arrangements on the ground floor. Facilities like lunch delivery service will also be included. Udupi garden under renovation. Pic:…