Articles by Sameer Shisodia

You’ve probably heard about BMTC’s 'bus priority lane' pilot project in ORR (Outer Ring Road) by now. Officials are working full-time to set up infrastructure for the project, and are conducting test runs. Speaking to Citizen Matters, KR Puram Traffic Police Inspector Lokesha says they have been asked to deploy police personnel to ensure only buses ply in the priority lanes. "BMTC will gives us details after the pilot runs are completed. We will then deploy personnel depending on the number and frequency of buses," he says. Here are some quick details about this pilot : Starting November 1st, the…

Potential MP Avare, Namaskara. I’m Sameer Shisodia, living in Bellandur (recently referred to as Outer Koramangala by an ambitious builder!). I have been living in Bengaluru for 23 years, love the city and what it represents, crave the bisibele bath and the coffee when travelling elsewhere, speak a fair bit of Kannada and am learning more. I have also voted several times for local, state and national elections. I have been involved in some community-led efforts for the lake and traffic around here - not as much as I’d like to and not close to what many in my community…

The laptop bag's zipper fails under the weight of the not so light machine you carry everyday. Or the soft luggage has a small tear from the last airline trip. Or the floater's beginning to lose its sole - no pun intended - to the abuse that our myriad surfaces throw at it. What do you do? Usually, head to out to the nearest store to look for a good, nay, better, replacement. And chuck the current one out, or donate it, or whatever. There's a plethora of stores, brands and choices after all. And its not that expensive, given…

After over a decade of hard work, hard water and loads of dishes done sometimes even twice a day, the Electrolux dishwasher recently died on us. The missus and I debated some, and in line with the lower foot print (both from an energy as well as a financial point of view), decided to switch to hand-washed dishwashing. The need for a tap and sink in the utility area quickly made itself on to the to-do list on the fridge. Do you even know how much a steel kitchen sink costs!? Could set you back 3500/- quite easily. Plus, did…

Those of us living along the periphery of the town are a blessed lot - a couple of kilometers from home brings us to a very pretty, quiet, unrushed and refreshing countryside.   Its all those things - pretty, quiet, unrushed and refreshing - at least in part, because of the lack of traffic around there, so let's keep it like that. Instead, pick up a cycle and ride! We're in a city with really pleasant mornings, global warming notwithstanding. Especially now, with the summer behind us, early mornings and gentle showers are a great way to start a weekend.…

The weather, friendly people and great coffee at any random darshini - these are the reasons I proffer to folks when they ask for the secret that Bangalore became, and continues to stay, home for us. To that list, add the fast spreading delights from the small little Nondescript "Hot-chips" Shop (the NHS) in practically every neighbourhood. It goes amazingly well with Bisibele bath, sandwiches, burgers, regular dal-rice or just a cricket match on the telly. Packets disappear in a jiffy, and you really cannot stop at one. Cholesterol, fat and other such demons are momentarily swept under handily available…