Articles by Arathi Manay Yajaman

My Bhumi, a Bangalore-based NGO, in conjunction with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is working to promote an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebration this year. Supported by Friends of Lakes, RR Nagar Cares, One Bangalore Lakes and other groups and individuals, the focus is to reach out to children through their schools, and educate them about the connection between eco-friendly Ganesha idols and lakes in Bangalore.    Children are being encouraged to get their parents to buy unpainted clay idols. If the brown idols cost more than the colourful ones they are used to, then they can go in for…

Sri H Gopalakrishna is a long time resident of BEL Layout, Vidyaranyapura (earlier called Narasipura). This story, by him, in its original form, appeared on the Facebook page Vidyaranyapura - The Original. It is been edited and reproduced with his permission.   This is a continuation of Part 1 - Heaven, that can be read here. We used to get piped water through bore wells which had links to overhead tanks around the area. The responsibility of the water supply and collection of water charges was handled by BEL Residents Welfare Association (BELRWA). A while after the cleaning plant became operational,…

Sri H Gopalakrishna is a long time resident of BEL Layout, Vidyaranyapura (earlier called Narasipura). This story, by him, in its original form, appeared on the Facebook page Vidyaranyapura - The Original. It is been edited and reproduced with his permission.   When I first visited the site where my house now stands, the scene of the lake stole my heart. It didn’t take much for me to decide to build my home right there. I moved to Vidyaranyapura in 1984. The present park between Fifth Block and Second Block of BEL Layout, Bangalore was originally a pond with water…

Water divining is the detection of under ground water without actually digging into the ground. The "diviner" locates water with the help of rules that he/she has inherited or learnt and/ or tools like coconuts, rods, pendulums and the like. Some use the geophysical survey approach, which may sound more scientific than the ancient methods.   During my childhood, when we were going to dig a well in our house in Richmond Town, my father had called a diviner. I recall how fascinated we were when we saw how, with the help of a gold chain, he identified a couple…

Just planting tree saplings is not enough. Much care needs to be taken to ensure that the saplings get enough sunshine, water and other nutrients - to give them a fair chance to grow into mature trees.   The residents around Narisipura Lake 2, Vidyaranyapura have been consciously attending to the trees that were planted some weeks ago. This Sunday, 10th August 2014, several of them from the Friends of Lakes group got together at the lake, along with experts who eagerly gave advice and lent support as required.  While one group was busy tending to the plants and fixing drip…

The 124-acre Doddabommasandra Lake (located in Vidyaranyapura area of north Bangalore) is now richer by 1500 saplings! Yesterday morning (Sunday, 27th July 2014) more than 950 people of all ages participated in a major tree planting activity, as a part of the neighbourhood's lake rejuvenation efforts.  For the senior citizens, the event was one that evoked memories of old Bangalore, when everybody participated in "community" activities without having to be invited. The message just carried in the air and everyone would be there!  Though the event was not widely publicised, word of mouth proved to be very effective. People brought…

Lack of occupancy certifcate might mean your dreamhome might have certain violations too. File pic. “We are happy to inform you that your dream home is ready for possession and registration. Handover & registration process will be initiated on receipt of the balance payment. We wish you a comfortable stay in your new apartment.”  This is the news you have been waiting for! Ever since the day that you booked the apartment, three years ago, you have been saving and planning to fulfil the dream of your very own home. This email is soon followed by the Final Payment Request Letter…

There are finally corporators who are walking the talk on managing waste. Smt Nandini Srinivasa and Sri ME Pillappa (BBMP Wards 9 and 10 respectively) are taking a personal interest in trying to alleviate the Mandur mess. On the Facebook page Vidyaranyapura-The Original, Smt Srinivasa's post reads: We all know that most of the waste collected in Bangalore is being dumped near Mandur and that is creating health and environment problems to Mandur residents and nearby villages. To avoid this we request you to attend an event “From Waste to Wealth” on 20th July 2014, Sunday at Narasipura Lake. We are thankful to…

Sincere thanks to Rotary Bangalore South Parade for the citation presented to PNLIT.         In you we find a crusader in saving the environment and water bodies in Bangalore.  Against all odds you have relentlessly worked to revive a dead lake and brought Puttenahalli lake to full life with water, flora fauna, fish and birds.   We the President, Board of Directors and Members of Rotary Bangalore South Parade on this day of July 4 2014 recognize your contribution to the residents of Bangalore City for enhancing the quality of life.    Usha and Nupur represented PNLIT…

The cleaning session at Arekere (Dorsani Palya) Reserve Forest on Sunday 29th June 2014 had many of the morning walkers join the effort. The extra hands really helped the volunteers (who have pledged their support to the clean-up campaign) do more than they had expected.    However it was noticed that apart from plastic, a lot of rubbish, including wet waste, gets thrown from the road, over the compound wall. People are using this like a road side garbage dump! For a proper clean-up of this part, the group decided to engage paid labour or rag pickers.   The forest is known…