Articles by Deepa Mohan

While paying for vegetables, I learnt something. Shop owner: What job do you do? Young man: I don't have a job. Whoever prospered by having a job? Shopowner: Speculative look. (He himself runs the vegetable shop, he doesn't have a "regular" job!) Young man: I breed dogs and sell them. All kinds of breeds. I get Rs.20K per dog sometimes. Me (unable to stop myself): Which breed? Young man: Rajapalayam hounds. Me: Oh! Young man: But that includes Rs.8K for the licence, and another few thousands for the microchip (inserted in the dog's collar). The economics of the pet trade…

Some time ago, I documented a project by this name, where Jaaga and a team of volunteers made a determined attempt to beautify the space under Hebbal flyover. I was told that they'd also painted some other flyovers, such as the one on Richmond Circle. Here is another team, called the Ugly Indian, taking the initiative to beautify the area under other flyovers. The day I attended, we had a motley crowd of people.. from the local bigwigs, to the transgenders, to the police constables on duty... everyone had a say on how the space could be used, and everyone…

On the 17th of August, 2017, I was walking along, musing on the fact that we are now in the eighth decade of our existence of an independent nation. Everywhere there had been an outburst of pride and patriotism. My thoughts broke off abruptly as I saw this: Are we really proud of our country? Do we really love her if, after our display of love, we are willing to make her ugly and dirty with our refuse and discards? Would it not be true patriotism to clean up the country, rather than add to the trash? Patriotism, surely, more…

It was a beautiful sight to behold the flag fluttering amongst the peepal leaves. Dedicated to all the "peepal" of India!

For some time, there was a debate about which butterfly should represent Karnataka. The State has a record of about 318 species of butterflies, and the choice of butterfly had to be one which would be the most representative of the State.  The proposal to adopt the  Southern Birdwing  as the State butterfly had been sent by Sanjay Mohan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Research and Utilisation). A few butterflies had been shortlisted, including the Common Jezebel, but the Southern Birdwing was finally chosen, as its colours match those of the Karnataka flag. Maharashtra had chosen the Blue Mormon…

The sight of these posters, stuck all over one surface (and indeed, stuck all over all kinds of surfaces throughout our city) brought home to me that there are many people who live in circumstances very different from home or apartment owners or tenants. The usual demographic of someone who looks for, and lives in, a Paying Guest accommodation is usually someone young, and who has probably landed the first job in this city. The emoluments look very attractive in the small town where that young person may live; but arrival in Bangalore brings them face to face with the…

I do not know which agency thinks that adding concrete structures to every small patch of greenery we have, is "developing" the park. This is in the Mini Forest, in J P Nagar 3rd Phase. The section of the park was looking perfectly all right, when the path was dug up, these concrete platforms getting added, and some kind of construction coming up. Why can we not leave even the tiniest of green patches alone? And where can concerned citizens complain about such unilateral decisions on "development"?

A greatly endangered species: the urban pedestrian. I just crossed Bannerghatta Road at great peril to my life. I waited about 10 mins for the traffic to ease, and still had to weave through vehicles which showed not the slightest sign of wanting to slow down for me, or the (even more) elderly lady I was leading by the hand. If I, in generally good health, find it so dangerous and unnerving, how can the blind, the lame, and the old cross our city roads? I also find it amazing that everywhere (not just in our country), it's the motorized…

Many of us have small gardens or even potted plants at home, to add a touch of greenery and, as we hope, to purify the city air.  Houseplants play several beneficial roles in our home environment. They provide visual interest to the home, purify the air, and may be edible or medicinal. What many of us may not know, however, is that some of these plants can be poisonous! Toxic plants can be a hazard to children and pets, as well as to elderly persons with dementia. Though  it would be better  to keep all plants out of the reach…

We went on a nature/birding walk to Kalena Agrahara on 15th July, 2017, and skirted the lake at IDBI Bank Layout. I was amazed to see several Nano cars parked, and rusting in the monsoon weather. There must have been about sixty of the cars, parked all around. At a conservative estimate of Rs.2 lakhs per car, that's Rs. 80 lakhs just wasting away. I finally found this banner, saying that these cars apparently belong to this rental initiative: The problem in our country seems to be, not lack of good initiatives, but keeping up with them. I have tried…