February | 2011 | | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Society

Quick February takes from the city’s shining lights

February 24, 2011 Yogaraj S Mudalgi

Is global cuisine going to kill local fare in Bengaluru? Why are the city’s elders being kicked out of home? Is there really any space for the poor here? Bytes from this year’s Namma Bengaluru award winners.

Society

Nine lives and one year later

February 23, 2011 Yogaraj S Mudalgi

They could have mourned the losses of their near and dear ones and walked away. Instead, within a year of the Carlton Towers fire, they created Bengaluru’s annual fireman awards.

Environment

Recklessness choking pretty Chunchaghatta lake

February 22, 2011 Yogaraj S Mudalgi

Chunchghatta lake, in southern fringes of the city and home to hundreds of birds is slowly being encroached upon and polluted with garbage and sewage. A Citizen Matters inquiry has resulted in authorities waking up.

‘Do not push RTE into all unaided schools’, says ABIDe

February 21, 2011 Navya P K

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa’s ABIDe task force recommends that state government follow a local, need based approach in making unaided schools admit low-income students.

Governance

Roadwork in Akshayanagar unfinished for over a year

February 21, 2011 Kris Yenuga

Though the signature campaign by Akshayanagar residents got BBMP to close the open drainages, the roadwork is still pending thanks to litigation.

Civic

From garden city to garbage city – but pay more for the privilege

February 21, 2011 Sakuntala Narasimhan

If the BBMP has failed to zero in on property tax defaulters, why should property owners pay for the inefficiency of the corporation, by shelling out 15 per cent more?

Society

An opportunity lost for Hindi cinema

February 21, 2011 Christina Daniels

Linear narration and less than nuanced performances lets ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ down. Music is the only highlight.

Beyond Carlton, what has been achieved?

February 21, 2011 News Desk

Beyond Carlton, the non-profit fighting for justice post the Carlton fire shares an update on their activities on the occasion of the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Society

Sarjapur Road Apartment residents take on sport climbing

February 17, 2011 Yogaraj S Mudalgi

Children and adults at the Springfields apartments on Sarjapur Road are into adventure sports these days. With an indoor rock climbing wall installed at their premises, they don’t have to go too far.

Governance

PRR orphaned, even as builders use it for sales

February 15, 2011 Navya P K

You may have heard about this gigantic road en-circling ever expanding Bengaluru, in part to decongest the outer ring road. In 2011 it remains on paper. Find out more.

Citizen federation opposes property tax increase

February 15, 2011 News Desk

CAF proposes a plan to resolve critical issues plaguing the city.

Sewage from apartments flowing into Iblur lake kills fish

February 13, 2011 Kruthi Gonwar

Iblur lake near HSR layout has been contaminated with sewage water from nearby apartments. Fish are dying because of this affecting the livelihoods of fishermen who use the lake.

Governance

Panchayat officials could have prevented wall collapse deaths

February 13, 2011 Navya P K

A Citizen Matters investigation has found out that panchayat officials at CK Palya off Bannerghatta Road could have stopped Srinivas Reddy’s building and chose not to.

Is BMTC Bus Day really a success

February 13, 2011 Rakesh HP

But is Bus Day really a success. Did it encourage commuters to use BMTC for one day or regularly?

Society

Patiala House is no trendsetter

February 11, 2011 Christina Daniels

Akshay Kumar’s first release this year, isn’t exactly setting the box-office on fire.

Civic

Community Participation Bill leaves out the community

February 10, 2011 Kathyayini Chamaraj

In order to not lose the funding from JNNURM, Karnataka government passed community participation bill without any discussion. But it was a watered down bill, giving little power to citizens.

Civic

Bengaluru, get ready for area sabhas in your wards

February 10, 2011 Subramaniam Vincent

If you felt powerless in Bengaluru, it is not without reason. Karnataka passed a community participation bill last month to fix this, but experts have severely criticised the government.

Commute

Rs 2 Cr may be held back from underpass contractor

February 10, 2011 Navya P K

BBMP issued notice to the contractor of the JP Nagar 15th cross underpass to complete work and fix quality issues.

Society

Anita Reddy gets Namma Bengaluru Award

February 9, 2011 News Desk

Anita Reddy is Namma Bengalurean of the Year, 2010. Entrepreneur Vasudeva Adiga, Nightingale founder Radha Murthy, Jayanagar MLA Vijaya Kumar among winners of Namma Bengaluru Awards 2010.

Society

Bangaloreans will brave Brevets to ride in Paris

February 9, 2011 Anita Bora

Bangalore’s serious cycling enthusiasts will cover a distance of 300 kms this weekend to qualify for prestigious Paris-Brest-Paris ride that happens once in four years.