CITIZEN MATTERS
Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine
Speak up, it’s your city!  

We’re glad to inform you that your community news magazine, Citizen Matters, has made it to the shortlist of the Manthan Awards (South Asia and Asia Pacific), in the e-News and Journalism category. Our co-founder Meera K is presently in Delhi to attend the summit. In August 2014, we won the Manthan Award (South West India) in the same category.

City news that matters

And before the summary of our own stories, here’s a curation of the latest news from Bengaluru.

• With the Metro getting the go-ahead in Whitefield, BMRCL is in talks with KIADB to begin land acquisition in the area. The line between Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield will have 14 stations on the 15.5 km stretch.
• The Excise Department suspended Bangalore Club’s liquor licence for a month until January 1st 2015.
• In a case of mob justice, an Odiyan youth was tied to a tree and brutally assaulted, for allegedly eve-teasing on Kanakapura Road. While police are yet to find answers as to why he was beaten up, the young man is undergoing treatment at Victoria Hospital.
• Meteorologists expect temperatures the city to plummet further down to 11 degrees centigrade, by the end of the week. If you haven’t already done so, unpack your woolens and stay warm.
• Yet another case of alleged child sexual assault has been reported from a private school in the city. A school attendant has been arrested in connection with the incident.
• The creator of a Facebook page, Kickout Astrologers, was summoned by Raja Rajeshwari Nagar police station under IT Act 66D (meant for punishing impersonation). Before this, the page had waged a war against unscientific forecasts aired on TV channels in the name of astrology.
• BBMP council has decided to renovate almost all BBMP markets by means of joint ventures with private parties.
• If BBMP accepts the proposal of Wake Up, Clean Up Bengaluru, recycling parks will come up across the city on the lines of SEZs.

This week’s highlight: BDA’s flat allotment not transparent enough?

Flat numbers being alloted to applicants in real time. The rolling drum, from which lots were picked can be seen onstage. Pic: Ganga Madappa

» BDA’s allotment process has always drawn resentment from applicants for its low cost housing project. The recent allotment which took place on November 27th was no different.

Read: BDA allots 947 1BHK flats, applicants cry foul. 

Other highlights

» There are many laws that are effectively used to corner the transgender community. Last heard, it was the law that prevents beggary. Scott Long, a Human Rights activist and writer based in Cairo, Egypt asks: Bengaluru: No place for transgenders?

For people-friendly buses

» Bengaluru Bus Prayaanikara Vedike (BBPV) organised a Makkala Adalat to let children voice out their experiences and concerns with travelling on BMTC buses. Read: BMTC conductors slap kids, buses don’t stop for children.

» Over 200 hundred bus commuters, including senior citizens and differently-abled persons, participated in a walk on Hebbal Flyover to highlight the challenges faced by the differently-abled. Read: Reclaiming the roads. 

The heroes among us

» If someone’s heart stopped, would you know what to do? A British nurse in Whitefield, with the help of Whitefield Rising, is teaching people how to provide timely help to victims. Read: Free CPR training in Whitefield.

Living in the city

Authorities block the route by creating a mountain of rubble. Slowly, the constant treads wear down the mountain, until it eventually becomes a path. Pic: Aditya Kumar

» At Silk Board, construction rubble serves a unique purpose: temporary barricade! Traffic cops in the area have blamed BBMP for the mess.

» Here’s all the latest news from Whitefield – update on the signal free corridor, feedback for the new traffic plan, and an open house to know what the community is all about. Check out the latest Whitefield Rising newsletter.

Food for thought

» A mall in Bengaluru has put up an installation of Marilyn Monroe in her iconic pose. Veteran journalist, Ammu Joseph wonders what the local authorities have to say about this. Read: When Marilyn Monroe comes to Bangalore. 

Reclaiming public spaces

» Ashwin Mahesh highlights the changes that can be incorporated so as to have an effective Clean India campaign. Read: Here’s how we can make Swachh Bharat work in every city.

» A clean-up drive in Ramamurthy Nagar, initiated by parents of JGRVK School, not only looks to make a difference in the area, but also inspire people across Bengaluru to emulate them.

» In May 2014, residents of Casa Ansal on Bannerghatta Road, disgusted with the garbage piling up on their side walls, had a clean-up drive with the help of The Ugly Indian. Today, six months later, the area continues to be clean. Read: We can make it work. 

Culturati

» Deepa Mohan reviews Bangalore Little Theatre’s production, Our Iceberg is Melting, a musical on climate change.

» In light of BBMP’s plan to redesign and redevelop some of Bengaluru’s historic markets, Kiran Keswani asks: Who designs our markets?

Events this weekend

• GiftAbled Foundation is organising ArtAbled, a unique program which brings together persons with disability and other individuals. The program will be on up to December 7th.
• As part of the outreach programme for its exhibition, New Works of KG Subramanyan, NGMA is organising Paper Puli, a storytelling workshop for children on December 4th, 10th and 11th. You can also participate in a Guided Gallery Walk on December 7th.
• Barefoot Productions will be staging the play, The Narrator, a tale of two individuals who rebel against being controlled and script their own destiny, on December 5th at Alliance Française.
• Bangalore Little Theatre presents Salaam Robi, a storytelling theatre performance that celebrates the work of Rabindranath Tagore at Bangalore International Centre on December 5th.
• Celebrated Malian guitarist and singer, Vieux Farka Toure, will be performing at High Ultra Lounge on December 6th at part of the Masters of World Music series.
• Bangalore Little Theatre will be having a reading of Teahouse of the August Moon, a play that has been touted as one of the greatest American comedies on December 7th at Alliance Française.

You can also have a look at the complete listing of events coming up in Bengaluru here. 

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