City: Bengaluru

Two photo contests are open for all enthusiastic shutterbugs. One is focussed on city-nature interaction and other is for photographs of Kaikondrahalli lake.The contests are open to all and there is no entry fee. Selected photographs from both contests will also be exhibited in Hyderabad during the second week of October, at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The pictures get a chance to be seen and discussed by the hundreds of government officials, policy makers and other delegates from around the world who will attend…

Vijayan Menon, 57, has been a resident of Koramangala for 20 years now, and is an active member of the Koramangala Initiative (KI) group. He is a marketing consultant by profession but likes spending most of his time for city’s development issues. His interests vary from golfing, gardening, playing guitar and travelling. He talks about the KI group, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and city governance. Vijayan Menon - member of Koramangala Initiative. Pic: Anisha Nair Excerpts from his interview.Do you think the ‘Save koramangala’ group has saved Koramangala? What were you also saving Koramangala from?It is an ongoing process. Some…

Suresh Heblikar was the man who made path breaking Kannada cinema from the late 70s onwards. But in late 90s, he switched paths and turned environmentalist, determined to make a difference. The man has excelled in both his roles. Though he continues to act occasionally, it is environment that he has chosen to dedicate his time to. Suresh Heblikar. Pic: Sankar C G Born on Feb 22nd 1948 in Dharwad, he moved to Bangalore in 1991 and became a resident of Jayanagar 3rd Block. He is the winner of the State Award for his movie Aaghaatha, National and State Awards…

“I feel like relocating to a different place. I will probably sell my house,” said a depressed, rather scared 70-year-old H N Pattabhiraman, a resident of  BTM I Stage, 9th Main, since 1992. Like Pattabhiraman, the other residents too live in fear. They feel helpless in the face of deteriorating law and order situation, they do not have much confidence in the police either.   The reason for this fear is the constant trouble created by miscreants and police inaction. The residents have to bear the brunt of motor-bikers drag racing with modified silencers at night, theft cases and rampant…

In 2008, New York based writer Lenore Skenazy let her 9-year-old son take the subway home. For weeks her son had been begging her to be allowed to travel alone and she finally relented by leaving him with a MetroCard, a subway map, some money and loose change in case he had to call her.When Skenazy wrote about the experience in her regular column, there was a flurry of reactions that ranged from calling her a child abuser to appreciating the way she allowed her son his first taste of independence. Overprotective mother. Pic: Wikimedia commons I remember reading Skenazy’s…

The uncleared garbage in the city is raising the stink. Residents are unhappy, government departments are pointing fingers at each other, those living near landfills are protesting; but the city still does not have a comprehensive solid waste management policy. Mavallipura landfill. Pic: Sankar C G The policy is being drafted for over a year now. Last September, a BBMP official told Citizen Matters that the policy will go for Council approval shortly. One year on, there is no draft policy in sight and not very surprisingly, the same statement is being repeated. “The policy that we have framed will…

We are taught, from childhood, to abhor and fear “creepy-crawlies”... those life-forms which we see under stones, on walls, or even on our vegetables! But it can be a revelation that these creatures, which we regard with fear and loathing, and usually kill at the first opportunity, can sometimes be on their way to becoming very beautiful beings!Take a look at this fat green caterpillar, for instance. Common Lime: Green Caterpillar. Pic: Deepa Mohan This may look gross and fat. It is fat, because it is, right now, a larva. It is eating enough to last it through the next…

The scene is almost identical each time. Whenever anyone sees me at the lake -- and if they know that I am part of the team responsible for the lake being rejuvenated the way it is -- they come to thank me first and then quickly proceed to offer me advice on the BBMP and the government. “Don’t trust them”… “they are a bunch of crooks,”… “Don’t get further involved with the government.” Fencing around kaikondrahalli lake. Pic: Shilpi Sahu I tell these people that this lake could not have and would not have been rejuvenated the way it has,…

As you walk up the 22nd cross of the 17th main in the 3rd sector of HSR Layout, the lush green around the unplastered house, is not something you will miss. This is Hombelaku - the Kanavi residence in HSR layout. 'Hombelaku'- Kanavi residence in HSR Layout. Pic: Anisha Nair A vintage brass bell hangs outside for a doorbell. Bright sunlight seeps through large skylights and a strong aroma of incense sticks greet you. This is HSR Layout’s famous green concept house. Karunaprasad Kanavi, 50, the son of Chennaveera Kanavi - the popular Kannada poet, and Vishakha Kanavi, 44, an…

The residents of Bank of Baroda Colony in JP Nagar VII Phase can now sleep peacefully, the three stone cutting units have finally shut down.  I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported this cause and a special thanks to Meera (Co-founder Citizen Matters) and Abhishek (journalist from Citizen Matters) for their continued and invaluable support in this cause - Rahul Rai The three units had been functioning from 1988. After continuous follow ups with KSPCB officials, for over a year, the residents of Brigade Palm Springs, an apartment complex behind stone cutting units have won the battle.…