Our March fundraiser has come to a close. Please do not miss our note at the end of this newsletter!

Before we get into our stories, here’s a round-up of the latest news from Bengaluru.

• A teenage girl student from a Whitefield college was killed, and her friend injured, at a shooting at the college hostel on March 31st. The police have arrested Mahesh, an office staff member of the college, on charges of murder.
• BBMP Council passed a resolution against the show-cause notice issued by the State government seeking clarification on why the Council should not be superseded. The decision was taken in a special meeting of the BBMP Council on March 30th.
• Twelve BBMP councillors who were elected members of the Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee (BMPC), have resigned from their posts, as they were unhappy over the dysfunctional body. The Committee, headed by the chief minister, has not convened a meeting even once after its formation.
• Namma Metro’s trial run from Magadi Road Station to Mysuru Road was successful. The line is expected to begin operations for passengers by end-June.
• The High Court has ordered the BBMP to take disciplinary action against officials who have failed to clean the storm water drains in DJ Halli and Muneshwara wards.
• Bangalore-based airline, Air Pegasus was recently granted a flying permit from aviation regulator, DGCA. It plans to commence operations from April 12th with services to Thiruvananthapuram and Hubli.

This week’s highlight: Process for adopting a child in Bengaluru

Pic: CARA – http://www.adoptionindia.nic.in/

Adopting a child is not as easy as it is shown in the movies. There’s a waiting period and elaborate documentation to be done, before you can take home a child.

Read: Here’s how you can bring home a bundle of joy through adoption.

The curious case of Malleswaram market

In January, a 50-year-old market in Malleswaram was razed to rubble. This, despite the BBMP telling the High Court that it would not happen, so long as the case was still on. Why did the BBMP go back on its word? Read: Malleswaram Market becomes history.

Living in the city

The annual Dharmarayana Karaga procession is happening on April 3rd and 4th. Here are the traffic diversions in place. Read: Traffic in City Market to be affected.

The show cause notice against the BBMP Council and the division of BBMP may no longer hold good as an excuse to delay elections. Read: HC directs State govt to conduct BBMP polls by May 30th.

In February, we had reported about the rampant burning of garbage in the Kadugodi area. Members of BWRCA then complained to the Pollution Control Board. Though KSPCB warned the local gram panchayat, no action has been taken to end the menace. Read: Garbage burning issue remains unsolved.

Guides

In the last couple of years, Bengaluru has seen the mushrooming of several stores selling organic food. If you’re looking to go organic, this one is a must-read: Organic food getting mainstream?

If you are considering getting a tattoo, here’s what you should keep in mind from start to finish—from the time you think about it, to post-tattoo care. Read: Think before you get inked.

LIC recently issued a letter to policyholders about fraudsters claiming to be from LIC trying to con people into giving them money. Here’s what you need to do, should you receive such a call. Read: Beware! Fraudsters posing as LIC officers.

A new lease of life

Puttenahalli Lake is all set to get at least 400 kilo litres of water every day. Excess water from the STP at the L&T South City apartment complex that lies adjacent to the lake, has passed the quality test for release into the lake. Read: Making the dream of a water-filled lake a reality.

Those were the days

Vaidya R reminisces about growing up in the Chamrajpet area in the 80s and 90s. Read: Memories of a riot, a bedding house, paper mart and more.

Food for thought

Is it necessary to be in politics to be a ‘public problem solver’? Ashwin Mahesh opines that the challenge for new politics is to make ‘each one a problem solver’. Read: Is solving public problems worth anything politically?

Heroes in our midst

Beyond Carlton’s revamped website hopes to kindle the conversation between those citizens looking to address the topic of fire safety. Read: Beyond Carlton launches India’s first fire safety community.

Events this week

• Watch Sulh-e-Kul, a film that explores the allure of one of the most important Muslim site of pilgrimage, Ajmer’s Dargah Sharif at Bangalore International Centre on April 2nd.
• Listen to a Hindustani vocal concert by Padmabhushan awardee, Pandit Chhannulal Mishra from Varanasi at Alliance Francaise on April 4th.
• Attend the reading of The Crucible, a play that is set in Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s, and hints at witchcraft, at Alliance Francaise on April 5th.
• Short + Sweet, the annual 10 minute play festival is back! Watch the first round of the qualifiers at Alliance Francaise on April 5th.
• Want to understand the rationale behind BBMP restructuring? Participate in a discussion with members from the expert committee at Bangalore International Centre on April 6th.
• To mark GK Gokhale’s death centenary, Bangalore International Centre is hosting a talk on Gokhale and  Liberal Nationalism on April 10th.
• For parents with children on summer vacation, there are several interesting  summer camps lined up in April and May.

Click here for the complete list of events happening in Bengaluru.

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