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This week’s highlight: How we can help farmers on the outskirts

Chemical-free farming needs more efforts, hence costs more for a farmer. Pic: Shree D N

At a time that we city dwellers in Bengaluru are getting affected by water problems, farmers on the city outskirts are in deep distress. So, what is happening on the city’s outskirts? Read: Why did farmers protest in Bengaluru, and what can you do about it?

The tussle for Venkappa Art Gallery

Venkatappa Art Gallery is in the news, because artists are protesting the proposed private participation in the maintenance of the art gallery. V Ravichandar, co-chair of the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group (KTVG), analyses the situation and possible solutions. Read: PPP can help improve Venkatappa Art Gallery.

Also read:

• What’s in the MoU between Tasveer Foundation and GoK for Venkatappa Art Gallery
• List of public spaces open for PPP maintenance
• Recommendations made by Karnataka Tourism Vision Group in 2014

Akrama Sakrama: Flop Story?

March 22nd was the last date for filing Akrama Sakrama applications. Though 1,500 forms were issued, only 37 applications were filed seeking regularisation of unauthorised buildings in BBMP limits in the last one year. Read: Two lakh B khatas, only 37 Akrama Sakrama submissions!

State budgets for Bengaluru

800 crores for new storm water drains, suburban rail, the promise of starting intelligent transport system and more. This is what the State government included for Bengaluru in the Budget.

The Water Meterer

Water metering is an interesting topic, and apartment metering even more so due to the complications rising out of multiple inlets. There have been a few and often spoken about apartments that have implemented metering. Read: The Master Meterer – Krishnamoorthy.

Map of 324 Trees in Metro’s way

As many as 324 trees are going to be cut for the expansion of Reach 2 and Reach 4b in Namma Metro Phase II, according to the data from BMRCL. See: A map of the 324 trees that will face the axe.

As more heritage buildings vanish

Colonial bungalow on Pottery Road being demolished to make way for a newer development. Pic: Benjamin John

A recent INTACH study showed that almost 45% of Bengaluru’s heritage buildings have been lost to development. So what can be done to preserve our colonial inheritance? Read: Are our heritage buildings vanishing right under our nose?

Musical presentation of Kannada poetry

March 21st was Poetry Day. Chitra Srikrishna looks at the work of poets closer home in Karnataka and how their poems are presented in musical forms. Read more.

New app from Traffic police

Tired of errant auto drivers taking you for a ride? Sick of incessant honking when you are stuck in traffic? You can easily report it to the Traffic Police now! Read: Safety at your fingertips with the bSafe app.

The week that was

• With the plastic ban in force, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) cracked down on 14 plastic manufacturing units in the city, for continuing to produce banned plastic products. Meanwhile, plastic manufacturers have moved the court questioning the ban.
• In a panel discussion on Lokayukta v/s Anti Corruption Bureau(ACB) organised by Aam Aadmi Party, Karnataka, former judicial officials, bureaucrats and whistle-blowers unanimously criticised the State government’s decision to create the ACB. Speakers including Justice N Santosh Hegde, SR Hiremath, Justice MF Saldanha and others condemned the unilateral decision taken by the government and said that the creation of ACB would weaken Lokayukta.
• The work on six-laning of Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway will begin in August 2016, Karnataka PWD Minister HC Mahadevappa has said. Responding to a question raised at the Legislative Council, the minister said that the project would require Rs 5,400 crore for land acquisition and road development.
• In the backdrop of the water level at KRS reservoir dropping to 85 feet in the past week, BWSSB has shown signs of reducing the water supply to the city. According to news reports, if the situation continues, BWSSB which is now supplying water to the residents thrice a week, may reduce it to only once a week.
• Residents of Krishnanagar in Bengaluru have registered a case with CUPA, after an woman allegedly killed eight puppies to teach lesson to the mother of the puppies. CUPA booked a complaint with the police for animal cruelty, following which the police arrested the woman, Ponnamma under Section 429 and later released her on bail.

Events this week

 Akshayambara at Rangashankara, March 27th

• Bangalore International Centre is hosting a panel discussion, Connecting The Dots – Is commuter rail the missing link in Bangalore’s plan? The discussion will begin at 6.30 pm today.
• Watch A Brief History of Your Hair, a play deeply rooted in personal stories about hair. It will be staged at Rangashankara on March 24th and at Shoonya on March 25th.
• Take a walk through the Houses of Malgudi, a walk that focuses on the construction of heritage homes in Basavanagudi on March 26th.
• Watch Akshayambara, an award-winning Kannada play that employs the dance form of Yakshagana to raise questions on female representation and male ownership at Rangashankara on March 27th.
• What happens when stand-up comedians turn storytellers? Find out at HiSTORYcal, happening at Alliance Francaise on March 27th.
• Watch the screening of The True Cost, a documentary film that questions who really pays the price for our clothing at Alliance Francaise on March 30th.

To know more about events in Bengaluru, click here

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