Before we get into our stories, here is a short summary of what happened in the city:

• Aero India, Bengaluru’s premier air show opened yesterday with Prime Minister Modi inaugurating it. The show is on until Feb 22nd. Look out for Citizen Matters’ picture feature on the air show.
• Prime Minister Modi gave a call to overcome stigma and blind beliefs, and offer medical treatment to those who have mental disorders, at the convocation function at Nimhans
• While Modi was in the city, citizens of Whitefield tweeted with the hashtag #DoVisitWhitefield to bring the area’s infrastructure woes to the attention of the Prime Minister.
• IISc students wore black bands during Modi’s visit to the air show, in protest against the unwillingness of the government to hike the stipend. Another small group protested against the government allegedly mixing belief systems with scientific temper.
• Cops caught two persons modifying BDA documents, to change the ownership of a BDA site. They were caught inside the BDA office.
• IISc researchers have developed a wide band amplifier, which can boost audio and radio signals. This item is currently imported when required.
• The 5-day Social Media Week will kick off in Bengaluru on February 23rd. It is also being held simultaneously in six other cities across the world including Milan and New York.

This week’s highlight: Political parties in poll mode

Despite the rumours of possible delay in BBMP polls, political parties claim to have started groundwork to face Bengaluru’s imminent city council elections. AAP’s victory in Delhi has not only fuelled the party’s hope in Bengaluru, but also for other new parties like Loksatta and Nav Bharat Democratic Party. Which way will the voters swing?

Read: Old political parties shrug the new ones even as Bengaluru awaits polls.

Also read: Can AAP Karnataka bring Delhi’s DNA to Bengaluru?

With the elections fast approaching, it is time that citizens of Bengaluru made sure their names are on the voters list. Here’s where you can update your details or register on the voters list.

Last chance to take the water tanker survey

Anirudh Rajashekar, a masters student from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, and IIM Bangalore’s CRERI group are collaborating on a research study involving private water tankers.

Please take the survey – How much do you pay for water? Three lucky respondents will go home with PVR tickets!

Living in the city

BDA tells the court only certain areas will be allowed to be commercialised, but includes more areas in commercial zones while amending the master plan. What is BDA’s response to the court? Read: State govt confesses to HC about amending BDA planning rules.

Also read: Citizens move court over BDA’s change of stance.

The week that was

The birds of Bengaluru had many people looking out for them, in more ways than one. Last weekend marked the 18th edition of the Great (Global) Backyard Bird Count.

In a tragic accident, 9 people lost their lives when the Bengaluru-Ernakulam express derailed near Hosur on February 13th. Read: Train accident near Anekal kills 9, injures 16 people.

Photo blog

Vivek M asks if the Big Banyan Tree at Avalahalli will continue to stand strong even with all the development that’s happening around it. Read: The Big Banyan Tree at Avalahalli.

Food for thought

Ashwin Mahesh says Bengaluru can never run out of water, if existing resources are made use of. He imagines the Matthondu Cauvery scheme that might just solve the problem.

Divya Sreedharan comes back from her vacation to the Nilgiris wondering if travellers actually consider the ecology of the place that they visit, or if they only choose to care about themselves. Read: Oh wait, let me take a selfie, first.

Community events

The second Lake Day celebrations in Bengaluru will be held at Puttenahalli Lake in JP Nagar, on February 21st. In addition to a multitude of activities, the event also hopes to raise funds for the upkeep of the lake. Read: Lake Alive – Puttenahalli Kere Habba 2015.

Join the Whitefield community as they celebrate green living on February 22nd. With workshops, walks, children’s activities, sale of eco-friendly products and more, there’s something in store for everybody. Read: Get your green quotient at the Whitefield Eco Habba.

Events this weekend

• Green Trends salon is conducting a Hair Donation Drive until February 25th. The hair collected will be used for making natural wigs for cancer patients.
• Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Fali H major will be giving a talk on Military Modernisation: Nuances and Complexities at Bangalore International Centre on February 20th.
• Attend the Grover Wine Festival for a weekend of the music, stand-up comedy, gourmet cuisine and wine at Bharatiya City on February 21st.
• Learn about the origins of one of India’s favourite foods,biryani, and get to sample six different varieties of it at the Frazer Town Biryani Walk on February 21st.
• AIMM will be conducting a course on MDU Accounting between February 23rd and 25th. If you are interested in property management, register before all the slots fill up.
• Interested in the history of temples? Attend a talk on Temples of the Badam Chalukyas on February 24th at Max Mueller Bhavan.
• Attend Biodiversity and Climate, a lecture on how the earth is fast changing and peoples’ capacity to react to the change at Alliance Francaise on February 25th.

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