City: Bengaluru

This article is supported by SVP Cities of India Fellowship On April 22nd, World Earth Day, around 400 volunteers gathered at a Government High School near Bommasandra in Bengaluru, to plant 5500 saplings that will result in a forest by 2028. This Earth Day plantation drive was organised by Say Trees, a Bengaluru-based NGO that’s actively involved in tree plantations in India. This was their 8th plantation drive using the Miyawaki method of creating a forest, introduced by Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese Botanist. This method includes planting a variety of native species close together in a small pit. The advantage:…

The theme for World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ and water bodies face serious threat from plastic waste not only polluting them but also affecting the water inhabitants and ecosystem. Kere Utsava is a citizen centric event and is to create awareness, promote sustainable alternatives to plastic, educate about the impact of plastic on our environment and water bodies. We are expecting over 7000+ people including school & college children to visit the event all through the day from 6am to 5pm. Many NGOs, farmers and social enterprises will attend the event. List of activities: Event: Kere Utsava, Agara…

Mandram, a global platform for people interested in Tamil language and literature, marks the coming together of people from different backgrounds to share their perspectives, journey and success stories for everyone to be inspired. The first ever Mandram was organised in Chennai with speakers from varied backgrounds like science, art and culture sharing their perspectives. The next event of Mandram is being held in Bengaluru on June 9 in collaboration with National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) at the NCBS campus, Kodigehalli from 3.30 pm- 6 pm. Mandram expands with this event to present the Jigyasa project, where Kannada is…

Pattandur Agrahara, a huge lake off ECC Road in Whitefield, is in danger of getting swallowed by land sharks. The lake is encroached by vested interests, and is also being dug up by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to build an 80-feet Road. Citizens have been protesting and taken the matter to court to save the lake. The history of Pattandur Agrahara Kere An almost 1000-year-old inscription stone dating back to 11th century was found in Pattandur Village recently. It threw an important insight into a dispute which is in court right now. Udaya Kumar PL, a Bengalurean who has…

This article is supported by SVP Cities of India Fellowship In the last few years, have you found yourself perspiring more than usual, while walking in core areas of Bengaluru city like Kalasipalaya?  Well, it's not just you. These are effects of the ‘urban heat island’ becoming more commonplace in the ‘Garden City’. This graphic by Raj Bhagath Palanichamy, a researcher at the World Resources Institute (WRI), as part of the City Water Assessment Tool, shows temperature ranges in core Bengaluru. Neighbourhoods like Jayanagar (the green section in the top left of the image) and Basavangudi are facing less exposure…

In 1983, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared April 18 as World Heritage Day to celebrate and preserve the shared heritage and history of the globe. On this day, countries around the world salute all that is left behind by generations before them for a continuity to their way of life. But 75-year-old Devendra S isn’t interested in global affairs.  He is more worried about the fate of legacy his community has preserved for centuries now. Devendra belongs to the Thigala community - the keepers of Bengaluru's oldest festival - Bengaluru Karaga. The pride of old Bengaluru,…

Citizen Matters in the past has explained how khata can be transferred without paying bribe. This post explains the experience of khata bifurcation/transfer done for a newly built apartment by a few of the residents, after following old examples. March 2017: We initially heard that Khata transfer can’t be done without paying bribe. Many of the fellow owners of the apartments were under the same impression. Initially around 15-18 owners got it done with the help of builder by paying huge amount of bribe. Their khata was done in 2 months only. We, the rest of the owners, thought we…

"I can do it with my eyes closed now. I can tell you what medicine is placed where, which doctor comes in when, and where my patients are at all times,” Leelamma says with a smile. Leelamma, the nurse staff-in charge at the St. John’s Medical College and Hospital in the Bengaluru hails from Kottayam. She has spent 22 years of her career here after stints in Assam and Saudi Arabia. Her faded, yet neatly pressed, white gown speaks of her longevity in service. This time around, she has a new challenge: handling panic. “Everyone with a fever is suddenly…

“Modi Modi! Modi Modi!” “Twinkle twinkle little star, Yeddyurappa superstar!” Activists belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) kept chanting and demonstrating, even as the initial trends showed BJP leading in 112 and more seats, on the counting of Karnataka Vidhan Sabha Elections 2018, on May 15, 2018. https://youtu.be/4ttqO4v-lMs  The members were ecstatic about their party’s perceived majority. Temple Street in Malleshwaram, where Jagannatha Bhavan, BJP’s State Headquarters is located, was full of a sea of flags. Cardboard cutouts of Modi and Yeddyurappa were raised and the party members danced with pride and joy, leading to road blockage near the office.…

The ceremony to announce the selection of Bengaluru’s first ever Bicycle Mayor was held at The Park in Bengaluru, on Monday, May 21, 2018. Mr. Jaap Werner, Consul General of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands declared Sathya Sankaran as Bengaluru’s newly chosen Bicycle Mayor. Sathya came to the stage along with his bicycle, to receive the recognition. Everyone working in the field of sustainable mobility is familiar with Sathya Sankaran. He draws inspiration from every citizen who is dedicated to the cause of cycling and pedestrianisation, and those who depend on cycling to earn their daily living. “They…