In Focus – Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

10 years of committed citizenry: Tracing the journey of the Citizens’ Action Forum

October 12, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The Citizens’ Action Forum completed a decade this year. It has an impressive record of committed activism, working on issues that affect a large section of the people in the city. Take a look at all that the Forum has been doing for Bengaluru and where they stand now.

The food on your plate: Is it safe? Is it organic?

October 11, 2018 Vinita

While organic fruits, vegetables and staples are much sought-after especially in metro cities like Bengaluru, consumers are often not able to verify the quality of the produce. What makes it ‘organic’ and how can we check?

How industry-academia partnership can help increase employability in IT

October 9, 2018 Shree D N

The emergence of private organisations that offer skilling solutions is a perfect marker for the rising problem of unemployability among fresh IT graduates. What other solutions exist to the skill gaps clouding the job-worthiness of the new workforce in IT?

Skill gaps among fresh IT graduates in Bengaluru impact hiring numbers

October 5, 2018 Shree D N

2.11 lakh students were enrolled in engineering courses in 2017-18, only 34,506 students were placed in Karnataka, according to AICTE. This points to a dim overall hiring scene, though IT graduates are only a fraction of this number. Why aren’t fresh IT grads getting hired?

How do those veggies reach your plate?

October 5, 2018 Vinita

Ever wondered what’s the story of the vegetables and fruits we consume everyday… where do they come from? What is its journey?

Court orders ignored, money dumped in landfills: How Bengaluru is being betrayed

October 1, 2018 Myriam Shankar K

After six years of court-monitored efforts to set right garbage scenario in Bengaluru, what does the scene look like?

Retrospective applicability of Green Tribunal’s lake buffer rule: Citizens in the soup?

September 14, 2018 Shree D N

Plan sanctions for many projects near lakes and drains were given by the BBMP when there wasn’t enough attention on buffer zones. With the Green court’s push for buffer zone and lack of clarity over time frame from which it is applicable, 1000s of property buyers and owners in Bengaluru are in a quandary.

What can Bengaluru expect from BBMP’s 14.4-crore plan to send pourakarmikas to Singapore?

September 6, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

More than 500 pourakarmikas have already visited Singapore at a cost of Rs 80000 each, as part of BBMP’s plan to send a targeted 1800 waste workers for training and international exposure. But what have they brought back and how much of it is being implemented?

Aspirations of young urban poor: Bridging the employability gap

August 28, 2018 Manasi Paresh Kumar

Blue and grey collared workers are integral to the city – garment workers, domestic help, masons, plumbers, sweepers… But what will the future of their children be? In this article, we look at the challenges these youth face in getting the jobs they want and what could help overcome those.

‘Not plastic’, but Bengaluru will now grapple with discarded polyester flags post Independence Day

August 17, 2018 Seema Prasad

The state ban on plastic and the central government advisory against use of plastic flags this Independence Day meant that many vendors switched to polyester fabric flags. But what does this really mean? What will be the impact of our celebrations on the environment?

Aspirations of the young urban poor: A job that pays well, and has ‘prestige’

August 14, 2018 Manasi Paresh Kumar

With no influential friends or social network and limited education, where do the children of our domestic workers, security personnel or other blue/grey-collared workers find jobs? How often are their expectations being met?

Why does Bengaluru need a new Special Purpose Vehicle for its suburban rail project?

August 2, 2018 Manasi Paresh Kumar

In 2014, the state government registered the BSRCL as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Suburban Railways project. Now the CM has announced another SPV, to be set up within a month to help speed up the project. What’s really happening?