Articles by News Desk

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…

Arts and Culture Exorbitant rent in Kalakshetra Exorbitant rent for Ravindra Kalakshetra is making Yakshagana performance (a folk art from coastal Karnataka) difficult now. The organisers of Yakshagana shows find this difficult to get suitable alternative places. The rent has been increased from Rs.9700 to Rs.13,700. Yakshagana lovers urge to lower rent in the interest of safeguarding a folk art (Udayavani, Monday, 30 June) Crime They came to help but were cheated They came with a trust but got betrayed instead. Lee Sung Shin and his wife Kim Bong Sun came to Bangalore with the intention of helping tribal and…

CIVIC Save lakes, say techiesTaking 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…

Deccan Development Society India, Hyderabad and the Network of Women in Media, Bangalore cordially invite you to the launch of a unique publication: Affirming Life and Diversity: Rural Images and Voices on Food Sovereignty in South India Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Auditorium, Race Course Road, Bangalore 56000110:30 am to 3 pm on 18 June 2008 Our partners in hosting this event are Communication for Development and Learning (CDL), Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), Sarathi and Openspace. Affirming Life and Diversity is a multimedia publication comprising 12 video films made by the peasant women filmmakers of the DDS Community Media Trust…

Bangalore's airport controversy continues to hover around the courts. Last-minute attempts being made by city organisations with the support of infotech firms to get a stay on HAL's closure. In the meantime, the central government postponed the opening of the airport by a day from 23 May, causing some confusion. 9 June: Access remains a worry Reports are coming in BMTC's shuttle services not running on time. On Saturday 7 June, at the airport, a 5.20 Volvo to Koramangala (route BIA 7) did not leave until one of the passengers went upto to driver and conductor and persuaded the duo…

ART AND CULTURE Youth classical music fest Ananya, a cultural association has organized Sangati Yuva Sangeetotsava from June 4- 8 in Sevasadan, Malleshwaram. This youth classical musical fest is likely to attract young talent from across the country. Several organizations like the BTM Cultural Academy and Rama Lalita Kala mandira have joined hands for this fest. Organizers are confident that the fest will quench the thirst of music lovers.[Tuesday, June 3 Udayavani] CIVIC Notice to building violators In the wake of incessant rain, the BBMP has issued notices to the residents of nine areas to vacate the place. Officials say…

Thursday, May 29 Prajavani • After the successful launch of the midday meal scheme Akshaya Patra by ISKCON, it is now the turn of the BBMP to extend such a scheme to the old aged. ISKCON has again been entrusted with this responsibility, which has already been offering food to the old and the underprivileged at its premises. ISKON has been rendering this yeoman service to schoolchildren and prisoners in Bangalore Central Prison as well, and has plans of extending such schemes to cover pregnant women too. Vijay Karnataka • It is said that nothing succeeds like success. This is…

This report captures a range of developments from hooch smugglers smashing street lights to a government school being demolished for road-widening. Also, state officials appear to be thwarting attempts to amend the state civil services law to give more teeth to the Lokayukta. Thursday, May 22 Kannada Prabha Ever wondered why the streetlights on P S K Naidu road in Cox Town never light up? Because hooch smugglers smash them to carryout their operations under cover of darkness. And what's more, they are indirectly helped by the BBMP in their efforts. Fed up by constantly replacing the smashed lights, the…

This report captures stories from the polling booths to a new scandal emerging on land conversions and registrations. There are also briefs on the deplorable state at the High Grounds Police station and a new volunteer effort by engineering college students to help with blood donations and finding matches. Thursday, 15 May Kannada Prabha Two more underpasses will come up in J P Nagar and Kadirenahalli in Bangalore South. The success of underpass near Cauvery theatre prompted BBMP to have such underpasses in different places of city. But new underpasses will be constructed in the traditional style, instead of the…