CITIZEN MATTERS Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine Speak up, it’s your city!
City news that matters
All of us know of the terrible floods in Jammu and Kashmir and resultant havoc. More than 640 people from Karnataka had been stranded, of whom around 200 have been rescued. The State Disaster Management Cell has opened the helpline 1070. Here is the list of persons from Bangalore in the area, with their current status (missing/rescued). Meanwhile, many organisations are busy collecting the materials needed to help the stranded citizens in Kashmir.
And before our Bengaluru This Week roundup, our curation of latest city news…
What does a Mayor do soon after s/he is elected? Answer: Inspection. Yes, new Mayor Shantakumari is busy conducting various inspections across the city. Early promises: Holding plastic factories accountable in order to stop the production of plastic below 40 microns. And, going online to bring in transparency in BBMP finances. Seven months left; more promises to come!
Azim Premji Foundation, in a PIL, has questioned the accordance of minority tags to schools that don’t comply with the norms. This status is currently sought by the institutions who don’t want to allocate 25% of the seats to RTE.
Bangalore’s own tomato variety, Arka Rakshaka whose name comes from Arkavati, is ready to go places, with demand from many other countries, says a report by The Hindu. One tomato plant yielded up to 19 kg tomatoes, and hence became very popular with the growers.
Nimhans has launched a special website that will act as a resource for suicide prevention: www.gatekeepersindia.org aims to educate and stop people who want to end their life.
Those travelling to North Karnataka: make a note. You will not have direct KSRTC buses from Majestic hereafter – the buses will start from Peenya station.
Rain in the region comprising Bangalore and other 15 districts is the highest in the country this year, with 23% excess rainfall than normal, says a report from Bangalore Mirror. Will the water problem ease this year?
Lalbagh will see yet another exhibition in October. This is to commemorate Nurserymen Cooperative Society’s 50th year.
This week’s highlights The dark underbelly of the water mafia
A water tanker collects water from a borewell next to Bellandur lake, whose water is contaminated according to tests by the Pollution Control Board. Pic: Meera K.
» In Bangalore, you can bribe the valveman to cut water supply, and even make money selling water! Bangalore’s water situation is all about murky deals: real estate, local politics, water supply – all are interconnected. Here’s an insight into the water mafia operating in Bangalore.
» While dementia has no cure, there are measures that families can take to improve the care that is given to patients. Here’s Citizen Matters’guide to understanding dementia.
Issues that matter to you
» The Metropolitan Planning Committee elections will be held on September 16th. In addition to the master plan for the city being drafted, it also means that regularisation of byelaw violations under Akrama-Sakrama will finally start.
» Impractical rules breed illegality. Sudha Narasimhachar roots for the common man, one who is lured by the builder with swanky ads/brochures, but is finally left to face the music. Read: A case of hiding the elephant in a basket!
» BWSSB will be conducting an emergency maintenance of pumps and electrical circuits in the Cauvery 1st and 2nd stage water supply. As a result, water supply will be affected in several areas like Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Basavanagudi etc on September 18th and 19th.
» If you know any young women/men who has finished Standard 12 and is interested in pursuing vocational training, do tell them about the free Home Appliances Repair Training that is being organised by Labournet.
The heroes among us
» If you had to contribute Rs 10 everyday for a good cause, would you do it? Read about Powers of 10, a group that’s doing just that and helping the needy in the city.
» Several food stalls have come up on 15th Cross in Malleswaram, making the road even busier than it already is. Ramesh Sreekantan offers a solution that could keep both vendors and those commuting happy. Read: How about a food street for Malleswaram?
Arts and culture
» The 2014 edition of the Bangalore Literature Festival will be dedicated to U R Ananthamurthy. Check out all that’s brewing at Bangalore’s most loved festival for book lovers.
» On occasion of Teacher’s Day, Chitra Srikrishna puts together a list of songs that pay homage to the unique relationship between teachers and students. Read: Celebrating the teacher.
» Drop in at the National Gallery of Modern Art between September 11th and 14th to be a part of Voices in the Water, an international travelling film festival and community outreach event on water.
» Watch the theatrical remake of Dr Rajkumar’s superhit movie, Hosabelaku at K H Kala Soudha on September 12th.
» Make your way to Comic Con on September 12th, 13th and 14th to be a part of a unique event celebrating the world of comics and pop culture.
» Learn about the reptilian residents of Narasipura Kere on September 13th, at a Snake Awareness Sessionorganised by Pancharatna Plus.
» Listen to the glorious melodies of Indian cinema at Cinema on Strings, a concert featuring Violin Chandru accompanied by other musicians on string instruments, on September 13th at JSS Auditorium.
» Trace the history of Tanjore paintings, and learn about the secrets of some masterpieces at Pradeep Chakravarthy’s illustrated talk, All That Glitters Is Gold on September 13th.
» NGMA Bangalore is organising a Storytelling Workshop for children on September 14th on the occasion of Hindi Day.
» Take a trip down memory lane with a Walk in the Pete on September 14th and reminisce about life in Bangalore in the 1950s and 60s.
Low voter turnout in bypolls, high rates of train-related deaths in Bengaluru, BMTC runs ‘Pink Sarathi’ jeeps to help lone women travellers at night – read more on news from the city over the past week, in our roundup
Kaveri Online Services aims to cut redtapism. Work on TenderSURE roads could start by January. And you may be able to commute via bike taxis soon. Here’s the news round up from Bengaluru for last week.
Transport Department opposes new carpooling platform, expert recommends changes to waste processing plants, NEERI may audit city lakes – read more on what made news in Bengaluru this week
