City: Bengaluru

MASTER MIND GROUP is a group which meets every week at 5 P.M. at Koramangala club. It is open to members between 35 to 55 years, though we are not rigid about the age. Members discuss their aspirations, goals, doubts etc. about any topic that concerns them - finance, career, relationship, weight loss, etc. It could even be small goals like getting a secretary, cleaning up a cupboard, etc. This is followed by brain storming sessions and feed back sessions. The atmosphere is non-critical and harmonious. Every member takes away something of value each time. The member himself can set…

The Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival '08 will include the second edition of its very successful Theatre and Arts Appreciation Course, designed on the lines of the well-known culture course at Neenasam, Heggodu.The course, launched at the Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival '07, provides a unique opportunity to learn the essence of theatre and arts appreciation by developing new ways "seeing and listening". Last year's course was a resounding success, with participants from various walks of life – from students to professors, software professionals to bankers - participating enthusiastically in the highly interactive sessions. The likes of Satyadev Dubey, Girish Karnad, UR…

It was a huge argument allowed to run riot, while the ban over smoking in the public place was coming towards its implementation date, 2nd October, 2008. We could read and hear a lot spoken about it; all sorts of arguments supporting and disregarding it.It’s more than a week since the imposing of the ban and all the 'chimneys' have been relocated from office balconies, roof-tops, walking areas around the building and parking lots; to the roadsides, middle and not so middle of the road.I was surprised to notice that while the ban imposed would mean a lot of discomfort…

What happens if you don’t see light at the end of the tunnel? You don’t see the tunnel; you only see darkness. You reach around only to clutch at thin air. You seek help and you only see smiling faces that don’t really listen, friendly eyes that don’t really see. You see people around you who seem to be concerned, but don’t know how deep your anguish is; and the deeper you go, the lonelier you feel. You don’t know which way to head; you don’t know if the next step forward, is forward. You’re hopelessly lost, with no hope,…

Navarathri triggers colourful and vibrant memories of one's childhood. Visit Anupama's Navarathri setting at Banashankari II Stage, and you can be sure of being stunned. Elaborate arrangements of dolls, depicting particular stories from the epics are a treat for the eyes. This year the themes are 14th day of the Mahabharata war, Rama and Lakshmana protecting Vishwamitra's 'yagna', Krishnaleela, scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Each scene is meticulously laid out and care is taken to get every small detail right. Dolls are of varying sizes, from Snow White to Gograhana, you can find dolls across cultures, epics and history.…

While we saw a reasonable response in supporting the Bihar flood relief (in terms of cloths and money), there has been far less effort to reach out to the flood-affected in Orissa. Bihar was, by most accounts, the bigger of the two disasters, but Orissa is not far behind. According to a report from our volunteers in Orissa, nearly 5000 villages and over 30 lakh people have been affected by the flooding in the Mahanadi river and its tributaries.Some of us are collecting (used) clothes and funds to this end. All kinds of garments, including woolen, are useful (Western dresses…

I first noticed Dramanon when they put up a foyer performance at Ranga Shankara, and later watched two of their productions: ‘The Original Last Wish Baby’ and later, ‘Pizzazz’. I found Sharanya Ramprakash, the present "chief" of Dramanon, and her team of thespians to be a committed, sincere young theatre group, battling financial odds to stay in theatre. The group was established in Bangalore in 2007, with a group of youngsters who studied in Manipal. Dramanon has staged around 20 productions till date and has staged four shows of ‘The Original Last Wish Baby’, a political satire, at both Alliance…

Crime Fuel thefts rising With costs of fuel increasing, petrol thefts are also increasing. Fuel thieves are working very systematically throughout Bangalore. There is no check as many victims prefer not to lodge complaint. Police too fail to arrest them. There are reports that thieves are more active in the vicinity of CMH road, M G Road, Brigade Road, Malleshwaram and Jayanagar.(Vijaya Karnataka, Friday, Oct 3) Bangalore - hub for terrorists A report by the Intelligence Bureau revealed that Bangalore has become an online training center for terrorists. Some software engineers working in prestigious companies are also used for this.…

A free reading room and information center, to be maintained by Jayanagar 5th Block Residents' Welfare Association was inaugurated on October 9th, by Jayanagar MLA, B N Vijaya Kumar.The program was attended by former corporators, C K Rama Murthy, B Somasheakar, S K Nataraj, and many residents of Jayanagar 5th block and other citizens. Jayanagar 5th Block Residents Welfare Association119. 7th Main.5th Block Jayanagar,Bangalore -41  Tel-265544155The proposed center will provide information on civic and utility services to residents and also would be equipped with books, newspapers and periodicals. The association would also conduct interactive meetings with officials/elected representatives and conduct…

The Bangalore Traffic Police finally seems to be taking steps to solving one of the most acute pain-points of the city - its traffic. The city’s traffic police appear to be going head over heels in plans to apprehend traffic violators and control traffic.This concern was evident when the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa inaugurated a new Traffic Management Centre (TMC) on Monday, 6th October. The city’s current TMC has been running from the Ashoknagar Police Station, since April. The new TMC will act as the the nerve centre of all traffic related activities in the city and will function…