CIVIC
Save lakes, say techies
Taking a break from their routine mechanical work, a group of techies have come forward to save Hosapalya tank, situated in Sector 2 of HSR layout. They are trying to bring awareness among citizens about the importance of retaining tanks. The group has formed an association called ‘Sundara Jaga’ (a beautiful place) with the motto ‘Kere Ulisi’ (Save Lakes). The group may be contacted through http//groups.yahoo.com/group/banao_sundar_jagah. (June 17, Prajavani).
Dump under the nose of BBMP HQ
The BBMP had once promised to build gardens in every locality. Forget new gardens, it will do well for the BBMP to maintain the existing gardens which are crying for help. Ironically, the garden right behind the BBMP office on J C Road itself has become a dumping ground of wastes, reflecting the negligence of our Mahanagara Palike. (June 17, Vijaya Karnataka).
Tall goals for tree planting record
Sri Sri Ravishankar of the Art of Living Foundation has declared that the foundation plans to plant 10 crore plants on the eve of Indian independence day this year. Speaking during a felicitation function organised by the Kannada Sangha of BEML, he said such an effort would be a record of sorts, as nowhere in the world has such a task been taken up so far. (June 17, Vijaya Karnataka)
CITY LIFE
Widow remarriage event on 7 August
The Swayamvara Trust is organising a remarriage function for widows. The Trust has been organizing such programmes in aid of speech and hearing impaired persons since 1991. This time it has taken up the cause of widow remarriage. Widows and willing grooms for them registered their names during a two-day function held in the city. The nuptials are likely to be held on August 7. (June 15, Vijaya Karnataka)
CRIME
Child-trafficking at Majestic
Leave a child in Bangalore’s Majestic bus stand and observe what happens. Chances are an agent will pick up the child with the intention of making a quick buck. There are plenty of such anti-social elements who supply children to hotels for a commission, earning about Rs.100 to 200 on every child. Often, they threaten these hapless children if they do not cooperate.(June 13, Vijaya Karnataka)
Women-in-crime on the rise
While it is heartening to note that women are storming male bastions in each and every area of work, it is a matter of alarm that they are becoming active in criminal activities too. More and more crime incidents reported in the city have women offenders behind them. From pick-pocketing to kidnapping, pictures of women criminals are added regularly in police records. Police officials are now cautioning people to be careful while appointing women for household work. (June 15, Vijaya Karnataka)
Single women under increased risk
Recent crime records in the city show that single women are in danger as crimes pertaining to them are rising alarmingly. The city witnessed seven murders of single women in the last eight months, resulting in a sense of insecurity among them. Police has advised women to be careful while dealing with strangers. (June 17, Vijaya Karnataka)
Jakkur Airdrome privatisation under the lens
Corps of Detectives (CoD) officials are likely to interrogate senior IAS officer Srikanth in connection with the privatisation of Jakkur Airdrome training centre. It is alleged that Srikanth fabricated signatures of Governor Rameshwar Thakur and his advisor P K Tarakan to get privatisation done. In this connection a case was registered at the Vidhana Soudha police station in May. The case was later handed over to the CoD. (June 17, Vijaya Karnataka).
EDUCATION
Ragging in colleges
The Raghavan committee, appointed by the Supreme Court, has asked all educational institutions to include details about ragging in their prospectus. It has directed colleges to initiate measures to check ragging in hostels also. According to a circular by the committee, colleges should provide details of ragging cases, action taken against the culprits, and redress measures in case students face such threats in future. This recommendation is expected to have a positive impact on city colleges. (June 13, Vijaya Karnataka)
Stationery shops in crunch due to private schools policy
With most of the private schools making it mandatory for students to buy text books and stationery from the school itself, stationery shops in the city are facing a dip in their business. Earlier, the lion’s share of their annual business came during May and June. But now schools have started having direct liaison with book manufacturers. Even parents are against this move as the stationery purchased in schools is priced much higher than the retail price. (June 16, Vijaya Karnataka)
GOVERNMENT
HRA for ministers
Do you know how much a minister gets as house rent allowance? A whopping Rs.40,000. As of now an official bungalow has been allotted only for the Chief Minister and 18 other ministers. The remaining 15 ministers have been sanctioned Rs.40,000 as HRA. A minister who decides to live in his own house is also eligible for Rs.25,000 per month. (June 19, Prajavani)
HEALTH
Heart check-up for Rs.2000
Getting a heart check up done at the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology has just become easier. The hospital promises to conduct a complete heart checkup for patients in just two hours, for a nominal cost of Rs.2000. Chairman of the institution Dr C N Manjunath is the brain behind this scheme. The hospital has signed an MoU with a number of government and private agencies towards this end. (June 13, Kannada Prabha)
Passion for blood donation
Meet M Shankar Rao, a 60-year-old Red Cross activist who is known for his passion for blood donation. A resident of Raghavendra Colony in Chamrajpet, Rao has donated blood more than 25 times since his age of 29 years. He says he will continue to donate blood until his 70th year as advised by his doctors. He can be contacted on 9448809150. (June 14, Vijaya Karnataka).
INFRASTRUCTURE
Unsafe shopping complexes – a fire risk
The recent fire in Jayanagar shopping complex has raised questions regarding the safety of government buildings. While most new private buildings and apartments are adopting safety measures, old government buildings are still exposed to this threat. Low quality wiring, increased use of paper and water leakages invite fire accidents. Moreover there is no surveillance over the shop owners in government owned commercial complexes. (June 19, Prajavani)
Road-widening nightmares continue
There seems to be no end to the road widening projects in the city. The slow pace of the work continues to put motorists into a lot of trouble every day. The BBMP had earlier announced widening of 85 roads, but took up only five to start with. Even these are yet to be completed. Commissioner Dr S Subramanya has promised to finish the ongoing work within six months. (June 14, Prajavani).
Safe drinking water this monsoon
The BBMP and BWSSB have initiated a number of steps to make sure that safe drinking water will supplied during the rainy season. The clogging of drainage is a common problem during this season which may also affect water supply. To avoid this, house owners are requested to direct rain water directly to the drain if they do not have harvesting facility, to check the flow of surface water. Jetting machines are also ready to be pressed to service to clean up underground drainage. (June 19, Vijaya Karnataka)
Yeshwanthpur flyover slow starter
The slow progress of the flyover work in Yeshwanthpur has put motorists in distress. Even after a year of commencement the flyover is yet to make headway. There is no indication of its completion by next year either. When completed, commuters will find it easy to reach Tumkur road via the flyover. (June 19, Kannada Prabha)
Average speed on Bangalore roads
Do you know what the average speed of a vehicle on Bangalore roads is? Just 10 kms/hour. This is 5 kms lesser than the average speed in 2005. Police Commissioner Neelam Achyuta Rao disclosed this dismal fact in a meet held by the Chief Minister, highlighting the plight of motorists. The police chief said that about 25 percent of the roads are used for parking and existing roads are unable to bear the increasing burden. (June 18, Kannada Prabha)
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