CITIZEN MATTERS Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine Speak up, it’s your city!
City news that matters
>> State government is slowly and steadily moving towards splitting BBMP again. A high-level meeting that took place on Tuesday decided to re-organise zones and wards in the BBMP to facilitate bifurcation.
>> CID chargesheet against key accused in KPSC scam Mangala Sridhar, says that she called various candidates, around 450 times, before and after the examinations. Curiously there is also a name of ‘Doddavaru’ that came up during her conversations, reports Times of India. Mangala is an ex-corporator for BBMP, and was appointed as a KPSC member in Jagadish Shettar’s government.
>> Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science, has been placed in the world rank category of 301-400 by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). IISc fans are disappointed by this rating.
>> Even as the evaluation report by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) revealed that the first phase of the Bangalore Traffic Improvement Project (B-TRAC, from 2007-2012) has not been successful, the City traffic police are gearing up to implement the second phase.
>> Finally we have some data on Bangalore traffic. A study by Consortium of Traffic Engineers and Safety Trainers says traffic speed in peak hours in the city is just 9.2 km/hour!
>> Thieves don’t leave anything. After city buses a few months ago, now it is bus shelters! A bus shelter worth Rs 5 lakh near Christ College mysteriously disappeared overnight. Police claim it was removed by a BBMP contractor.
>> A group of 15 students from Bishop Cotton Boys School has bagged the best Large Delegation award at the Harvard Model United Nations held in Hyderabad.The event saw participation from over 1500 students from 15 countries.
This week’s highlight: Bangalore Underground Festival
Citizens watching the photography exhibition at a subway at K R Circle. Pic: Bangalore Underground Project
What happens when a couple of otherwise dirty and under-utilised pedestrian subways are given a makeover? They transform into the city’s newest public venue for music and arts.
The Bangalore Underground Festival held at the pedestrian subways near Cubbon Park and KR Circle, on August 17th, was truly a celebration of the city’s art and music scene. Folks gathered to participate in a mélange of activities that included music performances, a 2k run, a heritage walk, photo exhibitions, art installations and more.
Property matters
>> Are you a resident of Whitefield? Or are you looking to purchase property in the area? If the answer is yes to either of the questions, then you should read: Khata confusion for Whitefield properties.
>> H Gopalakrishna, a long time resident of BEL Layout, Vidyaranyapura chronicles the story of Narasipura Lake. Read: From heaven, to hell and back again.
>> Rising water levels, new species of birds, trees shooting up in the monsoons – and now a white water lily – the Puttenahalli Lake throws up umpteen surprises!
The heroes among us
>> Taking charge of the road in front of the office – that’s the new mantra that corporates are following these days. Adopt-a-Mile initiative, aims to beautify one mile at a time through corporate help.
>> Why acquire new land for Metro – why not lay the Metro track on the existing railway track? Citizen writer, Awase Khirni Syed, shares his thoughts on decongesting the city.
>> A graphite factory continues to pollute the neighbourhood in Whitefield. What did the residents decide to do? Read on!
>> Our music expert, Chitra Srikrishna reviews Carnatic vocalist, Ramakrishna Murthy’s performance at the Gokulashtami music festival 2014.
Events this weekend
>> Catch Violette, a French film, at Alliance Francaise on August 21st. This is a must-watch if you are fascinated by foreign cinema or Paris or the literary world.
>> Listen to sitarist, Saptarshi Hazra, as he takes you on a musical journey that highlights the features of the Senia Jaipur gharana on August 22nd at the Bangalore International Centre.
>> Attend a talk on the humble beginnings of Dakshina Chitra on August 23rd, and learn about the unique museum in Chennai that showcases South India’s rich cultural heritage.
>> Join architects Sanjay Mohe and Medappa of MindSpace, as they take you on a Design Walk on August 23rd at the Karunashraya campus. The walk is in aid of the Karunashraya cancer hospice.
>> Want to eat the fruits and vegetables that you grow in your house? Attend a free workshop on Organic Terrace Gardening on August 23rd to learn how you can get started.
>> Why not be nice to the environment, and make your own eco-friendly Ganesha, this festive season? Learn to make one at an idol-making workshop on August 23rd and 24th at HSR Layout.
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Here is a quick look at the numbers that matter. The detailed annual report can be read here.
It is probably the best time to not have made plans to head out of town for the long weekend. Pay a visit to Lalbagh for the Independence Day Flower Show; it also happens to be the the 200th anniversary of the event.
