City: Bengaluru

Off late, there has been a huge confusion on the cable TV networks across the country, including Bengaluru, with implementation of set top box. Many cable TV subscribers are not able to understand the development in this direction. Here is an attempt to throw light on this ongoing issue. In 1991, the Indian government started a series of economic reforms including the liberalisation of the broadcasting industry, opening it up to cable television. This led to an explosion in the Indian cable TV industry. The Cable TV Act was passed in 1995. With the advent of technology, the cable service providers…

In September last year (2013), I quite fortuitously ran into a group of excited Bangaloreans who had begun discussing doing something around the trees of the city. This is where we began conversations about a possible tree festival for Bangalore. Anush, Arpana, Sangeetha, Uma, Mallik, Jahnavi and I met at Airlines hotel one evening. Janhavi Pai, a researcher friend had told me that these folks were interested in Bangalore’s trees and their stories and were discussing various ways to expand and share their experience. It almost seemed like a call and a dream come true. For over 8 years now,…

Lake encroachment is rampant in Bangalore. This time, it is the turn of Somasundarapalya Lake near HSR Layout. About three days ago, residents of HSR layout reported that several tractors were offloading debris into Somasundarapalya Lake, also called Haralukunte Kere. The once healthy lake is now headed the way of the many lakes that no longer see the light of day. Repeated complaints to the police have failed to bring any attention to the matter. Concerned residents have written to several administrative bodies, including the Chief Minister, local police authorities, the BDA, BBMP and BMTF, in the hope that some…

  As soon as the monthly Council Meeting started at 11.30am on January 28, 2014, councillors from opposition party demanded to know why the BBMP annual report and CAG reports were not tabled in the council Padmanabha Reddy said that when the current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was finance minister, he did away with 2% surcharge of stamp duty, which would have fetched some income to BBMP now if existed. Councillors of Congress party, outraged by this, protested vehemently by getting into the well of the council. The meeting was adjourned. Padmanabha Reddy later clarified that he did not have any…

Many citizens have filed their objections to draft rules of Akrama - Sakrama, formally called as Karnataka Town and Country Planning (Regulation of Unauthorised Development or Construction) Rules 2013 on the notification No: UDD 566 MyAPRa 2013, Bangalore, Dated December 12th 2013. Those who filed the objections include Vijayan Menon from Kormangala, Nagesh from Southern part of Outer Ring Road and others. Overall legality of the scheme The Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) having been established, the planning of the city, including land use, must be routed through this statutory body, and cannot be passed by the State government independently. The…

It is a known fact that areas like Malleswaram and Basavanagudi play a significant role in shaping the city's love for classical music. Other than Indian Heritage Academy in Koramangala and BTM Cultural Academy, there are very few places easily accessible to classical music fans living in South-East Bangalore. Ranjani Fine Arts (RFA), a non-profit charitable trust, has stepped in to bridge this gap. ‘Enable, Educate, Access,' are quite possibly the words that define Ranjani Fine Arts’ raison d'etre. Ranjani Fine Arts (RFA) has for the past two years, been nurturing and developing the cultural landscape in the Sarjapur Road - Outer Ring…

The lake of thousand birds has died a slow death over the years. How many more years before it is restored? Pic courtesy: SLAIT Sarakki Lake in JP Nagar was a home for Savira Hakki (thousand birds) in the bygone days. Not only have the thousand birds vanished, but also the pristine water body is completely destroyed due to years of neglect, apathy and greed of the land sharks. Is there any hope left in protecting this precious water body? To avert the impending environmental disaster from the daily garbage dumping, stench of the filled in sewage water fully covered…

After reading lot of blogs and articles on Aadhar enrollment, I thought would share my own experiences at two centers in Bangalore. I enrolled in Malleshwaram center and my family members did at Basavangudi center (both are Karvy's center). I enrolled in December 2013. My family members in January 2014. Address: 337, Karuna Complex, Sampige Road , Opp. New Vegetable Market, Malleshwaram Landmark: VGP showroom (1st floor). You can see the Board Aadhar enrollment centre in front of building. 1) I went in at about 9:30 am (on a Monday) and hence could not find much crowd. 2) I filled…