Articles by News Desk

Business & Economy No deadbody, no insurance Basavanna, a retired KSRTC driver from Malavalli, lost his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in the 2004 Tsunami, when they were on tour in Chennai. However he was not able to get their dead bodies. The insurance company denied compensation, contending that there was a possibility of them being alive as the dead bodies were not recovered. Basavanna argued that he had performed the last rites of the dead. He has now filed a writ petition in the High Court against the insurance company for their refusal to release compensation. (Prajavani, Tuesday, Sept…

Business Movement of trucks between State and TN affected The tussle between Karnataka and Tamilnadu is not about water this time. It is taking a new turn with Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (KSLOAA) deciding to stall movement of construction material from TN into Karnataka. This action is in retaliation to the banning of sand being transported to Karnataka by TN. Calling the ban illegal, association president GR Shanmugappa said that sand trucks were paying an additional royalty of Rs 2000 to cross the border. He said TN trucks will be stopped from Sept 10. (Kannada Prabha, Monday,…

Business Shooting houses' on the rise in city If you do not see ‘To-let’ or ‘For Lease’ board in front of a vacant house, don't assume that it may be meant for own use. It could be a 'shooting house'. An increasing number of Kannada serials, almost all of them family based, have created a huge demand for such houses in Bangalore. Such houses have all amenities that are required for a family, and located mainly in the city outskirts. They are rented out for Rs.2000 to Rs.5000 per day. (Prajavani, Tuesday, Sept 2) Education Multi-storey buildings for government schools…

Business & Economy Petition questions law banning employing women in bars When women are storming male bastions in all areas, why can’t they be allowed to work in bars? This is one of the petitions lying in a Karnataka court. Apparently bar owners are only too happy to employ women in this business. However, section 9 (1) of Karnataka Excise Licence Act (1967) bans women from being employed in bars, but allows them to own one and consume alcohol (in bars). Social parameters clearly do not allow women to work in bars, even as they work in night shifts in…

Arts and Culture Ganesha idols dearer this year? Even God is not immune to price rise, it seems. This time around idols of Lord Ganesha may cost more, as sculptors of idols face severe problems in the wake of rise in the fuel and paint costs. Labour costs too have almost doubled. Ganesha idol worship is common in every household during Ganesha Chaturthi which falls during the first week of September. It remains to be seen if there will be a shortage of idols in the market this year. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Wednesday, August 20 ) Crime From live…

Arts and Culture Govt apathy may cost city the NSD regional centre The government's failure to provide suitable a space to the prestigious National Drama School (NSD) may result in the city losing its much hyped regional centre. The centre was sanctioned after activists staged a series of protests. The government has asked them to hold plays in Gurunanak Bhavan in Vasanthnagar (behind the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Comitttee office, near the Karnataka Badminton Association), reluctant to provide land for the centre. Regional director of NSD Suresh Anagalli cautions that all plans of the regional centre may be put on hold…

Business With rise in prices of raw materials, hotels have jacked up their prices as well. All dishes at the Darshini hotels are to become dearer by Re 1 and by Rs 2 in other hotels. Idly-vada-dosa aficionados are unhappy with this increase, feeling that a raise of 50 paise would have been sufficient. There are an estimated 6000 Darshini hotels in Bangalore (source for numbers not cited). ( Prajavani , Wednesday, July 30 ) City Life Fuel price hike no deterrent for bikers Despite inflation and rise in the cost of fuel, bike craze among the youth remains. More…

Business Multiplexes prop up film industry With a series of movies failing at the box office in recent times, experts opine that developing multiplexes may be help in salvaging the situation. Multiplexes are already doing good business in metros like Bangalore. Even as a number of movie theatres are facing closure due to low business, multiplexes seem to be surviving, as they attract a different audience. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Sunday, July 20 ) Bangalore gets its own Dabbawallahs Mumbai’s Dabbawalas got international fame when Prince Charles showed interest in their operations. Taking a cue from them, Bangalore’s Papastiffin has…

A series of bomb blasts ripped through Bangalore this afternoon. Scores of citizens and students alike, shocked and worried, pulled ahead their evening commute to get back home earlier. The blast scene at the back corner of the bus stand at Madiwala checkpost, on Hosur Road in south Bangalore, at 4.30 p.m. on 25 July. Pic: Subramaniam Vincent. The bus stand at Madiwala checkpost on Hosur Road in south Bangalore was the scene of one of the blasts, and this is also the location where one woman died, the city police have confirmed. Injured citizens from this blast scene were…

 Is Namma Metro on a safe track?Experts and officials respond to questions and concerns around the safety and design controversy surrounding the Bengaluru Metro’s construction.Metro work chugging along But rather wearily, and with many hiccups. Recent update is that 11 cases against land acquisition on CMH Road were dismissed in just three days.Metro station construction to begin soon Stations construction is slated for January-February 2009. Smart cards are planned, stations will be disabled-friendly. Reach 1 will be operational by December 2010, the latest estimate.Ruling coming up on future of Metro Rail, traders Citizen Matters is following the High Court proceedings…