Phew, it just seems like yesterday we were reaching out to you, but it is already end of the financial year, and we start our bi-annual fundraiser. We will mail you shortly with details on how to donate.

Citizen Matters Journalism Workshop

We are happy to announce the workshop for citizen activists, aspiring writer-journalists, or just anybody who wants to write impactfully on issues important to you, and reach out to a larger audience.

It will be held on April 2nd and includes interactive sessions anchored by experienced journalists – covering writing, photography, filmmaking, data journalism and tools, along with an understanding of how the city works. For more information, write to us on foundation@oorvani.in or see facebook.com/events/817745518352424.

Are you running TCS World 10K?

We are inviting runners who are participating in the TCS World 10K in May to run for us. If you would like to sign up with us as a fundraiser or Care Champion, mail us.

This week’s highlight: How a bunch of citizens lobbied for the real estate bill and how it can impact you!

Civic group members who have pushed hard for RERA Bill, are a happy lot. Pic: Nagesh Aras

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill which has been passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is likely to bring in more transparency in the real estate sector. Several citizen groups in Bengaluru too played a role in pushing the Bill. Also check the key provisions of the bill and how it can help safeguard your property purchase.

Read: How a bunch of Bengalureans batted for the Real Estate Bill.

A peek into Metro’s unseen corners

Namma Metro officials took Bangalore In-charge Minister K J George and media persons on a tour of the yet-to-be opened underground Metro stations on the East-West corridor yesterday. Read: A journey into Bangalore Metro’s hitherto unseen corners.

You can travel by Namma Metro from Mysore Road to Baiyappanahalli from this April onwards. But your wish to travel from all destinations in Phase-I of Namma Metro will come true only by the end of the year realistically. Read: When is Namma Metro Phase-I expected to complete realistically?

More on the city

BBMP met with journalists yesterday for the pre-budget consultation, because “journalists have their ears on the ground and therefore are capable of advising based on ground realities”. Read: When journalists gave inputs for BBMP budget.

Allocation of 1% of funds from BBMP budget, temporary grievance redressal cell, free public amenities in markets – these are some of the streets vendors demands to the BBMP. Read: Street vendors want 1% share of BBMP Budget.

For an international traveller flying on or out of Bengaluru, BMTC’s Vayu Vajra service can be inconvenient. Whether they are arriving or departing, there is no choice but to wait at the airport for a couple of hours if they want to take the bus. Read: The Vayu Vajra service is not customer friendly.

KSPCB had organised a meeting with over 150 RWAs to discuss solid waste management and protection of lakes. Read: Citizens urge KSPCB to appoint committees to monitor waste and lake activities.

Workshop: Neighbourhoods of Tomorrow

ApartmentADDA is a hosting a workshop on the various aspects of managing an apartment complex. The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 19th at the TERI Complex in Domlur. Read: Workshop for better management of apartments this Saturday.

Waste matters

Kannahalli composting plant ran into problems with villagers from the vicinity protesting against the stink emanating from the plant. How is the leachate being handled now? Read: How leachate will be controlled in Kannahalli.

Plastic ban is now official in Karnataka. The ban prohibits the production, transportation, sale and use of certain plastic products including carry bags, plates, cups, spoons, sheets, flexes, banners, buntings and items made of thermocol. Read the gazetted notification: Plastic ban now official!

A board put up in the ‎Arekere forest asks people not to dump garbage. Ironically, one can find garbage scattered right behind it. Read: What is illegal dumping?

Cyber security

Many a time, we don’t think twice before we enter a password on a website, or make an online transaction. Here’s why you should pay more attention! Read: How not to fall prey to email scams and online fraudsters.

Neighbourhood news

Residents of Koramangala 3rd block participated in a walk last week to bring attention to the neighbourhood playground. They want BDA to recall the allotment of a CA site adjacent to the playground to a Trust.

Culturati

In Bengaluru, an auto driver can probably speak at least three languages. Finding an apartment to rent in the Malleshwaram locality often depends on what your eating habits are. What do these statements say about Bengaluru’s porosity? Read: How porous can the city become?

Urban wildlife

A cobra being treated at the rescue centre. Pic: PFA

A first-hand account of a trip to the People For Animals (PFA) rescue centre shows a citizen how much the organisation does for the injured and abandoned wildlife in the city. Read: How a visit to a wildlife centre helped rescue a kite.

Ideas at work

Ashwin Mahesh shared an extract from his proposal to the government on things to include in the State Budget 2016-2017. Read: How the State can help Bengaluru.

Also read: Lose-lose propositions on public expenditure need to change.

The week that was

• The Karnataka government created the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday. ACB will be headed by a ADGP-rank police officer and will report to the Chief Minister. While the government justifies this as adherence to a Supreme Court ruling upheld by the High Court, political parties in opposition are seeing it as a case of weakening the Lokayukta institution.
• Bengalureans who were reeling under the severe heat, got a respite with the heavy rains that lashed the city on Tuesday evening. According to MET Department, the city received around 12.8 mm rainfall. Areas around HAL Airport received heavier rainfall as compared to other areas.
• Bengaluru has shot up to the 12th position in the India’s City System’s Survey-2015, conducted by city-based NGO Janaagraha. The city was in the 18th position in 2014. According to the survey, Bengaluru has seen improvement in the Urban Capacities and Resources category, which includes financial management, number of civic workers employed and government institutions for financial planning.
• BBMP recently slapped a demand note of Rs 80 lakh to be paid by the High Court as service tax. However, the HC Assistant Registrar in his reply to the BBMP Commissioner, asked what civic amenities the BBMP had provided to the High Court.
• After a gap of 20 years, Bengaluru is hosting the Indian Panorama Film Festival starting from Thursday. The four-day festival is open to all and is being held at Chamundeshwari Studios, Millers Road.

Events this week

Indie March, March 19th and 20th 

• The Riverman Band is playing a tribute to Dwight Pattison at Hard Rock Cafe on March 17th.
• Barking Mad 7, a show featuring stand-up comediennes Neeti Palta and Kjeld Sreshth is happening at Murphy’s Brewhouse on March 17th. Proceeds from the show will go towards Voice of Stray Dogs.
• Francophonie 2016, the festival for lovers of French is going on at Alliance Francaise till March 24th.
• Cinema: Le droit de mourir – March 17th
• Concert: Erika Lernot – March 18th
• Book launch: Ici – March 21st
• Cinema: Pas son genre – March 22nd
• On account of its 10th anniversary, Tasveer in association with Goethe Institut is launching The Tasveer Journal. The exhibition will be on display from March 17th to 24th.
• Echoes, a concert featuring Tauseef Akhtar, a long-time disciple of Jagjit Singh singing in tribute of his teacher, is happening at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall on March 18th.
• Go 500 years back in time to the rule of Kempegowda I on the Pettah Walk on Avenue Road on March 19th.
• Catch some of India’s best indie bands perform at Indie March,  a two-day festival of music happening on March 19th and 20th at MoonGate. The highlight is the performance by Manganiyar Seduction on March 19th.
• Watch The Incredible Mullah Nasruddin, a play about a boy who has the power to captivate his classmates with his stories at Rangashankara on March 20th.

To know more about events in Bengaluru, click here

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