Here are the top stories from Bengaluru for this week:

• All-India Sub-group of Chief Ministers on Swacch Bharath headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met in Vidhana Soudha earlier today. Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) showcased citizens’ efforts to make the city garbage-free to the sub-group.
• Law Minister TB Jayachandra confirmed that the approvals for tenders for the proposed signal-free corridors between Mysuru Road junction to Central Silk Board junction on Outer Ring Road (Rs 153.42 crore), and between Mekhri Circle and Hope Farm near Whitefield (Rs 140.91 crore) have been cleared.
• Minister of Health and Family Welfare, U T Khader said that there has been an increase in the number of patients with dengue, and that the situation is under control. The current strain of dengue is said to be more virulent than last year.
• Results of the B.PAC-Daksh survey to measure people’s perception of BBMP performance are expected to be published shortly.
• An animal rescue group came to the aid of two animals that had fallen into a ten-foot deep sump near Sarjapur. Both animals, a black labrador and a hog, are now safe.  

This week’s highlight: BBMP to go to polls on July 28th

File pic. 

The battle for Bengaluru has begun with the Karnataka State Election Commission announcing July 28th as the date for BBMP polls. To ensure that voters come out in large numbers, the day has been declared a holiday. The new BBMP council will be annouced on July 31st.

Read:  BBMP to go to polls on July 28th.

Also read:

• Mininsters, MP to decide on reorganising Bengaluru.
• HC fines state govt, clears way for BBMP polls.

What’s happening with waste and water?

This could be good news for residents of HSR Layout. Karnataka Compost Development Corporation plans to cover the unbearable stench emitted during the composting process with artificial aroma. Will it work? Read: Coming soon – Aroma from composting factory.

Several children of an apartment in Koramangala fell sick repeatedly, and it seemed like it was caused by water contamination. The father of one of the children child is now requesting that BWSSB set things right. Read: Kids fall ill after piped water supply contaminated.

The heroes among us

Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen once said: “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” Here’s proof that the folks of Whitefield are ever ready to take the helm. Read: Rise for little Deepan.

Runners being briefed about the concept of the run. Pic: Shilpi Sahu

Running events typically generate a lot of waste – water bottles, bibs, biscuit packets… The Zero Plastic Run held on June 20th, was a step towards changing that. Read: Here’s proof that a running event can be completely green.

Hasiru Dala helped 224 children of waste pickers send in their application for educational scholarships. Of these, 117 children have received scholarships worth Rs 2,16,450. Read: Scholarship for children of parents engaged in ‘unclean occupation’.

Living by the lake

Of late, Bengaluru’s lakes are almost always in the news, with some of them burning, or encroachments being cleared in another. Arathi Manay rounds up the key news updates about Bengaluru’s lakes. Read: Lakes in the limelight.

For the past one year, several agencies like ACWADAM, Biome, Wipro and Mapunity have been working on mapping aquifers in the area around Sarjapur Road. They will be sharing their methodology and learnings on July 27th at a workshop. Read: My well, our water.

Food for thought

What not to do, especially when you are a working parent who can’t spend much time with your kid – read Divya Sreedharan’s insights. Read: Raising a nation of superbrats.

The ever-busy Silk Board junction. Pic: Abhishek Chandel

If you’re looking to kill time on your daily commute from home, here’s an idea – people watching. As a commuter observes, the conditions of the commute bring out the best and worst in people. Read: Scenes from the Silk Board signal.

Culturati

When a musician receives an award, it’s acts as recognition for his or her contribution to the art form. Chitra Srikrishna lists those awards that are considered the world’s best. Read: Music awards.

Events this weekend

• Paradoxes, a photo exhibition by philosopher and photographer Pierre Poulain, is being held at Rangoli Metro Center from June 26th to 28th.
• Ananya Samarpana, a cross-border festival of classical dance, performed by artistes from India and Singapore will take place at Seva Sadan from June 26th to 29th.
• Dr Benny Kuriakose will speak about his work in India’s largest heritage conservation project, the Muziris Heritage Project on June 27th at Goethe-Institut.  
• Temple historian, Vatsala Iyengar will address the topic When the Devi is Your Husband, a talk on south-Indian devadasis on July 3rd at Bangalore International Centre.
• Go on a tour of the old city and soak in the culture and history of the Bangalore of yore, at the Nagarathpet Walk on July 4th.  
• Bhaskar Ghose is releasing his second novel Parricide on July 4th at Bangalore International Centre. The book release will be followed by a discussion on Indian authors writing in English.

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

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