August | 2008 | | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

15th of August! So what?

August 31, 2008 Sudha Narasimhachar

What this day meant to thousands of poor people, who are at the mercy of a corrupt and inefficient system.

Governance

Panel: How secure is Bangalore?

August 31, 2008 Deepa Mohan

On the eve of Independence Day, a panel discussed ‘Meeting the Challenges of Terrorism’ in the wake of the blasts in the city. A report.

Week’s news in brief: Aug 22-28

August 28, 2008 News Desk

This week’s scan of Bangalore’s Kannada dailies includes a number of reports a retired lady teacher being robbed of 2.2 acres of her land to the BDA confiscating assets worth Rs.300 crores in last six months.

Society

Ganesha Bappa arrives, yet again

August 28, 2008 Deepa Mohan

“O Lord with the twisted trunk, with the effulgence of a billion suns, always remove the obstacles in my way…” goes the famous chant. And the Lord obliges on the most awaited day of Bhadrapada Chaturthi, which falls on 3 September this year.

Society

Colours of freedom

August 28, 2008 Sanjuktha Mukund

Sanjuktha Mukund sent in this prize winning entry for Citizen Matters’ Independence Day citizen journalism contest.

Society

Tickling the funny bone

August 27, 2008 Bhanu Sridharan

Bangalore’s own little space for art that pokes fun at everything – from the nuclear deal to the city’s traffic woes.

Environment

Nandi Hills breathe easy

August 27, 2008 Deepa Mohan

Corporates, government bodies and the public came together for the Clean and Green Nandi Hills Campaign on 24th August 2008.

Society

Bastion of the Kempegowdas now a sleepy town

August 27, 2008 Poornima Dasharathi

Once the stronghold of Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagar rulers, and home to Kempegowda II after his ouster from Bangalore, Magadi now lives on in anonymity, unsung an uncared for.

Commute

Ruling coming up on future of Metro Rail, traders

August 26, 2008 Zainab Bawa

Citizen Matters is following the High Court proceedings on a PIL regarding the Metro Rail project. A ruling is due on 1 September.

Freedom to park

August 26, 2008 Srinand Piedpet

Total disregard for no-parking signs near Lalbagh on Independence days.

Society

Thank you for the music..and goodbye?

August 24, 2008 Hari Shenoy

Music lovers of Bangalore may miss their monthly dose of original music in earnest, unless the Sunday Jammers get back their ‘Music Strip’ in Cubbon park and are allowed to tune in again, uninterrupted.

Governance

Red Ribbon opportunity went damp due to blasts

August 24, 2008 Deepa Mohan

One lesser known impact of the blasts of last month was that many Bangaloreans lost an opportunity to utilise a thoughtful HIV/AIDS awareness initiative by the Indian Railways.

Week’s news in brief: Aug 15-21

August 21, 2008 News Desk

This week’s scan of Bangalore’s Kannada dailies includes reports on the state pollution control board issuing notices to errant factories and hospitals, car users spending half the day on roads and more.

EC annoyed by government delaying BBMP elections

August 21, 2008 Supriya Khandekar

State election commissioner M R Hegde has a sparkle in his eye when he talks about the body’s successes in rural Karnataka. But for Bangalore, the EC is handicapped.

What’s a good time to talk, Mr Commissioner?

August 20, 2008 Naveen Arulselvan

Do we wait for yet another child to be mauled before addressing the stray dog menace?

Civic

Layout residents harassed

August 20, 2008 Santo K Joseph

Unchecked land mafia in a Bangalore suburb continues to harass innocent site owners and residents despite repeated complaints to the police.

Society

An activist with a heart of gold

August 20, 2008 Palahalli Vishwanath

In an era when women were limited to playing stereotypical roles, Jayalakshamma’s activism stands out. Her hospitable and compassionate personality was symbolic of a bygone era. Palahalli R Vishwanath reflects upon the life of an extraordinary woman who was his mother.

Commute

Inside Bangalore’s traffic control room

August 20, 2008 Supriya Khandekar

The city’s traffic management centre is located in the Ashok Nagar Police Station. A lesser known fact is that it is open to the public.

Society

Artists of Urban Change

August 19, 2008 Deepa Mohan

The changing landscape and lifestyle of Bangalore and its people prompts a bunch of photographers to capture the phenomenon for posterity, for an exhibition on the same theme.

Governance

Of lights and cameras, smoke and soot

August 18, 2008 Supriya Khandekar

Commissioner Praveen Sood heads Bangalore’s heavily stressed traffic police force. In this interview to Citizen Matters, he gives his view of the rapidly worsening mess he has come to oversee.