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We couldn’t help sharing this curated list of stories we published in 2016 - so here we are, with special year-end edition of the newsletter! These are the stories that make us what we are; these are the stories you would love to indulge in, to get a 360 degree view of an issue. Let us know which one you liked the best! The messed-up storm water drain encroachment clearance drive 2016 saw unprecedented action by the revenue department, where many buildings encroaching storm water drains were razed down. Many of these buildings had authorised plan sanction from BBMP. How…

Dear Reader, Before you move on to the news section, ponder this: 2018 is going to see elections in Karnataka - precisely 18 months away from now. Do you have any idea what the 28 MLAs you have elected did in the Karnataka assembly the last 3.5 years? You might remember the coverage we did during the past elections - 2013 state election, 2014 Loksabha election, and 2015 BBMP election. We will of course do data-based reporting in 2018 too. But it will be possible only with your contributions - because no corporate or political party funds us. We are…

Story of the season: Beating cash-crunch in cities As cash-crunch hits ATMs post-demonetisation, many people are finding alternative ways to pay the monthly bills and commitments. People living in cities have comparatively less worries in tackling this situation, as technology comes to help. >> Read our guide on Many options for cashless transactions, to help ease cash-crunch. >> Much is being said about ewallets. How does ewallet help? Here’s an article: A guide to e-wallets. Also read: What demonetisation means for common man on Chennai streets Elevated roads and public transport in cities R K Misra, who is one of…

This week’s highlight Bengaluru is burning, but BBMP unable to help Garbage burning in progress in Varthur. Pic: Keerthi Gardenia resident In last two weeks, there have been multiple cases of garbage burning in Bengaluru being reported on social media. But the entire system seems to have turned a blind eye to this problem. The problem recurs every winter and continues in summer. But who is caring? Read: BBMP unable to control Bengaluru's garbage fire menace Fedup of constantly breathing toxic fumes from burning of garbage, student Aditya Potapragada writes to BBMP:‘Killing me softly with your smoke.’ When a builder…

It is strange that in an age where technology has connected people in a wide variety of ways that we seem so disconnected as citizens. This disconnection becomes the challenge of our society. Though we have immediate access to tons of information we seem incapable of finding common­sense solutions to the problems we face. The culture and context of our communities need to be reestablished-(Roberts, 2006).As technologists and organizations, we create many civic tools. But sadly most of it ends of up remaining with organizations or a specific group of people and is never put to use by others. RHoK…

  CITIZEN MATTERS Bangalore's own interactive newsmagazine Speak up, it's your city! Dear Reader, Season’s greetings! It’s going to be Deepavali this weekend. While the festival of lights brings in joy and celebration, it’s also the time when pollution peaks, and crackers only add to it. Is anything being done to create awareness among children on harmful effects of crackers? Ponder over this: Deepavali in the city: can it be safer and ecofriendly? The Steel Flyover Debate Weekends in Bengaluru these days are a witness to a citizen movement that the city never saw in recent days: a human chain…

Dear Reader, The last one month, water has been on our minds. While most talk has been about Cauvery water, are we forgetting the real issue? What does it take to support the water needs of a city of 10 million? Our many stories over the years have brought you stories of scarcity, depleting groundwater levels, disappearing lakes, monsoon floods and water quality issues. It is time to really understand the city’s water stresses, how they are being addressed and what action we need to take NOW! We invite you to a special session that brings together a panel of…

CITIZEN MATTERS Bangalore's own interactive newsmagazine Speak up, it's your city!   Dear reader, Happy Independence Day, in advance! This Independence Day, we have a new project by the people, for the people, of the people! Here you can do your bit by contributing to a better neighbourhood. Is the footpath in your area broken? Do you have garbage blackspots in your area? Is there uncleared construction rubble in the area? Map it all, and help BBMP clear it: Help Bengaluru map its bad spots This week’s highlight Bengaluru needs a flood map People fishing in a storm water drain near…

It has been raining heavily in Bengaluru — 41.8 mm rains according to MET Department—and our social media timelines are flooded with vivid images and videos of floods across the city. Here are some numbers you can get help from if you have a major problem in your area! It has also been a week of many protests. Bank employees are protesting today against privatisation. The now-concluded BMTC employee protest must have had some effect on your lives in its own way. Gear up for another BMTC-less day tomorrow, if at all you plan to go out, because there’s going…

Dear all, While the rains have been welcome, you must be noting the potholes appearing in its wake. We are inviting the #mostdangerouspothole pictures from you - You can post it on twitter and tag us at @citizenmatters, post it on our FB page or mail us at edit@citizenmatter.in. Have you tried drawing the attention of your local officials? HSR residents recently did a pothole puja which seems to have nudged BBMP into fixing the road. Remember the famous crocodile painted by artist Badal Nanjundaswamy? What is your approach of getting pothole issue fixed? Write to us! Special note for…