City: Bengaluru

Talented and energetic children keen on action. Inspired and excited adolescents eager to share their learnings. A strong and supportive working women's collective. A potent mix for a promising start. And start they did! In amazing style. Singing, dancing, speaking and drawing about the country, society, violence, peace and unity. Generational Shift - an unlettered yet empowered Rukminiamma (a SJS veteran) with her English speaking granddaughter Nisha and friend Vidya, both CYS members (pic: PA)On 26th January 2009, Chaitanya Yuwa Samiti (CYS), a community-based organization and youth wing of Stree Jagruti Samiti, was formally launched at the SJS office, off…

What could be a better start to a bright Sunday morning than visiting a lake? Unless you end up looking at a stretch of water full of decaying garbage and have to inhale the resultant stink. This was the case of Agara Lake, near HSR Layout, in south-east Bangalore. Once known as a beautiful water body with chirping birds, over a period of time it was transformed into a garbage dump. Recently, however, the lake got a welcome makeover when an annual cleaning drive was organised. Held on 15th February, the cleaning drive, led by Major Pramod Kapur, President of…

It was the beginning of a new chapter for artists in the city as the Southern Regional Center of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) was inaugurated in Bengaluru on 18th February. Located at the heritage site of Manikyavelu Mansion on Palace Road, the gallery was inaugurated by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambika Soni. The event was presided over by leader of Opposition, Government of Karnataka, Mallikharjun Kharge and Minister of Medical Education, Ramachandra Gowda. Spread over 3.5 acres, the gallery has been designed to be a cultural institute. Prof. Rajeev Lochan, Director, NGMA, says, "This gallery…

This hole on Kammanhalli Main Road poses a threat to those who use this busy road. Nearby shopkeepers placed some stones, bricks and branches near the whole to help prevent any mishap. The next day some workers from the BBMP workers came and filled it up with heaps of mud and rocks, and it became a mountain on the road (as shown in the photo). This is how it has been for the past few days. Who can we contact for road repairs like this? Hole on Kammanahalli main road which has been covered by nearby shopkeepers using some stones…

Defence Colony, Indiranagar of the 90's was famous for its large number of "Beware of Dog" signs. Each house had a retired defence force personnel, and apparently, a dog. Some signs were more affectionate. "Watch out for my darlings". I grew up cycling those streets and a lot has changed since then. No more do you see afternoon tea breaks on the lawn or friendly open streets that just invited the daring cyclist to go 'hands free' on steep slopes downhill. Defence Colony had a charm that emanated from its overflowing gardens. That was why it was a garden city.…

Soul revival, that's the feeling one was left with at the conclusion of the Biennial dance festival in Bangalore. The first festival in the city with contemporary dance as its theme, Biennial hopes to have two shows annually and justify its name! It was hosted by Attakalari, a trust formed in 1992 by artistes from different disciplines to have a platform for contemporary physical expressions in India. Attakalari Bienniale (pic: Arun Patre) The ten day dance festival (6th February-15th February) hosted shows of dance troupes from India and abroad at multiple locations in Bangalore which included the Chowdiah Hall, JSS…

It was that time of the year again when Bangalore geared up to be a proud host of what is known as Asia’s premier air show! The Yelahanka air force station was decked up for Aero India 2009 from 11th February to 15th February. Defence Minister Mr. A K Antony declared Aero India 2009 open and also announced that the next Aero India will be held on 9th to 13th February, 2011. The inaugural site was house full with over 50 delegations including air chiefs, air marshals and generals from the airforces of US, UK, Germany, Sweden, Myanmar and other…

Worldwide, a staggering four to five trillion plastic shopping bags are used every year. Most are discarded after a single use. Like all other plastics, the bags too are made from fossil fuels and are popular because they are durable, cheap, strong and lightweight. But these very characteristics are also what make them a problem. Plastic bags take extremely long to degrade: estimates range from 100 to 1000 years. Which means that all the plastic bags ever manufactured are potentially still around in the environment. And that is a problem. 'Biodegradable' plastic bags have been adopted by a local retail…

Business Grapes festival at HOPCOMS The festival of grapes organised by Horticulture Producers Cooperative Marketing Association (HOPCOMS) is attracting large crowds. 'Drakshimela 2009' took off on 4th February and will continue till the end of April. It provides an opportunity for tasting a variety of grapes and their processed goods.The Mela is on in 263 HOPCOMS outlets out of which 239 are in Bangalore. HOPCOMS has the target of selling 750 tonnes of grapes during the festival. A discount of 10 per cent on MRP too has been announced. ( Prajavani , Saturday, 7 Feb ) Volvo bus cost BMTC…

"Footpath mel hogi ma." - (Go on the footpath, Madam). This was a policeman.Though I felt like retorting back, I kept quiet as I always try to avoid these uniformed men.Frankly, where are the footpaths? The first hurdle is to get on to the footpath which is at least one foot high in many parts. Once you get on them there are any number of hurdles. Thirty per cent of them are occupied by construction materials. Iron rods that almost tear your sari. Maunds and maunds of brick and mortar pieces which can make you trip and fall; sands and…