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In this edition, read about Bengaluru’s many illegal coaching centres, the scams that have plagued BBMP in the last decade and how the power crunch is affecting industries. We have the second part of our series chronicling Nobel laureate, CV Raman and his time in IISc. Also read about what happened at the KCDC protest and at Puttenahalli Lake. If you are looking to get away from the city this Diwali, we have a travel guide as well. All this and more… Happy reading!

This week’s highlight: Special classes

Parents sending their children to tuition and coaching centres seem unaware of the laws governing the institutes. Only 28 are registered while hundreds continue flouting rules merrily. Why is this a problem? Read: Most coaching centres in Bengaluru operate illegally.

Teach for India fellows at the Kadugodi government schools are seeking help with supplies and volunteers to improve the facilities at the school. Here’s what they are looking for. Read: An appeal for help from Kadugodi government school.

Living in the city

The power crisis in Bengaluru has forced BESCOM to declare power holidays for industrial areas. This seems to be a killer stroke on small and medium industries that are outside industrial limits. Read: Power holidays for industries under BESCOM limits: Good or bad?

Managing the city of Bengaluru is a tricky affair where a lot of money can be lost if there is no integrity and coordination among officials, politicians and contractors. Read: A guide to BBMP scams in the last decade.

Remembering CV Raman

C V Raman addressing a group of scientists. Pic courtesy: Raman Research Institute

Part two of the series exploring Sir CV Raman’s legacy: Raman takes over the reins of IISc. He soon invites Max Born to Bengaluru. He also initiates other reforms, setting off a chain of events that eventually cost him the directorship. Read: The Raman Effect on IISc.

Also read: How CV Raman came to Bengaluru.

Waste matters

Fed up of the apathy of the officials towards managing the KCDC composting plant, residents in the area came together to warn the administration, and to take up legal fights to ensure the composting process doesn’t trouble people. Read: “We’re raising a stink because you are!”

The Forest, Ecology and Environment Department has issued a draft notification prohibiting the production, transportation, sale and usage of plastic carry bags, buntings, plates, plastic cups and sheets irrespective of their thickness. You can file objections/make suggestions before November 27th.

Street vendors of HSR Layout participated in a rally to raise awareness about waste management and vowed that they would do their part to dispose of their waste responsibly. Read: Street vendors vow to segregate and dispose of waste responsibly.

Water wise

Smart technology can only be as smart as the people who use it, otherwise it only ends up as another fancy gadget in the house! Here’s how technology can play a role to help you make smart, informed decisions, especially about responsible water use. Read: Water technology to enable informed decisions.

Living by the lake

Broken benches under the gazebo at Puttenahalli Lake.Pic: Arathi Manay Yajaman

Time and again, folks around Puttenahalli lake have been doing a wonderful job of nurturing the lake back to its pristine glory. A week back, they discovered some vandals had destroyed several benches along the walking track of the lake and in the gazebo in the dead of the night. Evil or empty minds at play?

The lives of others

If you are coasting past Kengeri, on Mysore Road, it is hard to miss the ultra-colourful stuffed toys being sold by the kerb. Have you ever wondered who makes them? Read: Pooja, the soft toy maker.

As Indian cities such as Bengaluru become home to richer, double-income individuals, the benefits are passing on—to the domestic help. Read: Maid in India.

Urban wildlife

Pic: Deepa Mohan

What comes to mind when you think of dragons? Do you summon up images of the mythical beings that belong in the realms of fantasy? Or do you picture those creatures with shimmering wings, only to look up and find them flying overhead? Read: Dragons in the air.

Do you know which organisation you can reach out to when you find a stray animal in distress? Read: Animal rescue centres in Bengaluru.

Culturati

Deepa Mohan review’s Tadpole Repertory’s production of Still and Still Moving, a play that explores male homosexuality in Delhi.

Travel diaries

A pond brimming with water in front of Shankareshwara temple at Hutridurga. Pic: Akshatha M

The well-trodden path or the road not taken – where you choose to travel is up to you. If you prefer the latter, consider making a trip of it to Hutri hill. With its brimming pond and stupendous views, the place is sure to enthrall you. Read: Head to the hills.

The week that was

• The US-supported project Water Health Centre to provide clean drinking water to households will be expanded from 9 to 25 wards by May 2016, said US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, during his visit to a centre in Lingarajapuram.
• CM Siddaramaiah has inducted three new ministers into his cabinet. Ex-Home Minister KJ George has been appointed as the Minister for Bengaluru Development. It is after a gap of 11 years, that a minister has been appointed for the post. KPCC Chief G Parameshwara has been appointed as Home Minister.
• A skywalk with escalators will come up at Manyata Tech Park. BDA has approved the designs for the construction last week and the work is expected to start this month-end.
• The heavy rains that have been lashing the city for past few days led to waterlogging in several places and disrupted normal life. There was water up to four feet in areas like Chinnaswamy Stadium, KH Road, Indira Nagar, Tannery Road etc. A gazebo collapsed on Sankey tank bund.
• A sample survey conducted by Child Rights and You (CRY) has revealed that one in every three children living in slums is underweight. The survey was conducted in five slums in the city and covered 258 children.

Events this weekend

• Watch Animal Farm, a theatrical take on George Orwell’s literary classic on November 6th at ADA Rangamandira. The cast also includes differently-abled children undergoing therapy at Snehadhara Foundation.
• Hockey in my Blood, a film about hockey in Coorg, told through the story of the Kodava Hockey Festival, an inter-family tournament, is being screened Bangalore International Centre on November 6th.
• French graffiti artist and light painter, Marko 93 will be collaborating with local artists to create light painting videos and photos, along with graffiti from November 7th to 11th.
• Take your children to watch How Cow Now Cow, a play about a grumpy cow at Atta Galatta on November 7th and 8th.
• British guitarist John McLaughlin (of Shakthi and Mahavishnu Orchestra fame) is performing at Garden City, Whitefield on November 7th.
• Make your way to Basavanagudi for your Sunday breakfast and visit some of the heritage food joints in the area on a Food Walk on November 8th.  
• Watch a Family ke Side Effects, a play about all the drama that ensues when a inter-caste couple are visited by their family, at Alliance Francaise on November 8th.

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