bangalore journal

In my search to find a method to recycle grey water from the washing machine, I chanced upon an exciting alternative to detergents: Soap Nut (Sapindus Mukorossi, locally called  Ritha or soap kai). Of course, it is not something new – our grandparents and parents have used it frequently to wash silks and expensive garments. However, in today's scenario, I think this little nut has a vital role to play.  Most significantly, washing with soap nut does not pollute the water like the detergents. It also conserves water while using the washing machine since there's no soapy residue to rinse…

Government to strengthen ATC The ATC (Anti Terrorism Cell) squad is slated to get a new face with government deciding to strengthen this cell in the wake of increasing terrorist activities. Government approved a proposal to appoint 750 specialised personnel to the squad. A number of initiatives are taken to make working with ATC more attractive for the police, which they have so far been looked upon as as a punishment rather than prestigious. (Prajavani, Friday, Dec 5)Vidhana Soudha in danger? The state government does not seem to be bothered by terrorist activities in the various parts of country. Its…

On 1st December, B N Vijay Kumar, MLA(BJP), Jayanagar constituency (which includes Jayanagar and JP Nagar), distributed pamphlets to all residents of his constituency asking them to inform him if they find vacant sites which is not protected by either the BBMP or BDA. Vijay Kumar says that he often gets complaints from his constituents about unused government land being misused or getting encroached upon. To verify the complaints, he went around his constituency and found that there were a lot of unprotected land sites owned by government or city corporation, which were not fenced or marked, near BBMP parks,…

I saw Ramayana with the attention that can only come from a seriously escapist 8-year old. This was in 1989. Then came 1992, and with so much mention again about Ayodhya, I felt Ramayana was being replayed somewhere. And why not – everyone must have been as enthralled with Hanuman carrying the mountain for Lord Ram – as I was. Only this time, it didn’t come with that happy feeling. After a few years I understood all that unfolded then was a drama of a different kind. And the Hanumans’ in it were the mindless destructive monkeys who called themselves…

Ambedkar Community Computing Center (AC3) is a centre set up in the slum area of Sudharshan Layout by members of Ambedkar Youth Sanga, Stree Jagruthi Samithi (a women's organization fighting for women's rights and child rights, for increasing the wages of house maids, et cetra), volunteers from AID (Association for India's Development) and by volunteers of the free software movement.Mani, a student at the Ambedkar computer centreMore information on AC3 can be found here.The idea of setting up the centre was to equip the children in the nearby areas with the basic computer skills, using quality software which is available…

Work on Bengaluru's Namma Metro stations for Reach 1 will begin in January-February 2009, and Reach 1 of the Metro will be completed by December 2010, say Metro officials. Tenders for the station construction, which were floated in August this year, were open to Indian and international companies. The companies that will undertake the construction of the stations are in the process of being finalised. Namma Metro will consist of a number of intermediate and terminal stations.While the terminal station is coming up at Byappanahalli, intermediate stations will come up at MG Road, Trinity Circle, Ulsoor, CMH Road and Old…

B.Jayashree's "Sadarame", which opened to great acclaim at the recent Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival 2008, is scheduled to be staged at Ranga Shankara this December. "Sadarame" will be performed from 10th - 13th December at 7.30 PM. (Pic: Akshay Narayan)Produced by Ranga Shankara under its "Play the Play" initiative, "Sadarame" is a revival of one of Gubbi Veeranna's most successful productions. "Sadarame" is directed by the renowned B.Jayashree, who is the granddaughter of legendary Veeranna.A play, rich in navarasa, "Sadarame" is replete with unforgettable characters: the ingenious Sadarame, the trickster Kalla, the innocent Jayaveera, the mean Bangaru Shreshti and the…

On 12th November 2008, Hasiru Usiru (HU) volunteers, in a symbolic act of protection, tied white ribbons around the trees on Sheshadri Road. The road is slated to be widened, with several 40-50 years old trees along its strength to be felled.Vijay Narnapatti (far left) engaging the members of the Empowered Committer in discussion (12 Nov 08, Sheshadri Road) (pic: Deepa Mohan) As Chairman, Yellappa Reddy, of the Empowered Committee, himself turned up for the inspection of the road, he was met by Vijay Narnapatti, an architect and a HU volunteer. Naranpatti pressed for the cause of retaining as many…

As Mumbai was held hostage for over 60 hours, the world watched in silence. The three-day bloodbath claimed over 190 lives, wounded over 300 and left thousands across India scarred for life. Citizens across the country were outraged and angered at the inefficiency of those in power and the ignorance of intelligence information. Peace rallies, candlelight vigils, slogan-shouting and much more. The silence was finally broken.Music at Cubbon Park Bandstand meeting to show solidarity with Mumbai terror attacks (pic source : MS Prasad) The whole of India grieved with Mumbai and continues to do so. Including Bangalore. Peace marches, candlelight…

"Bangalore's culture resides in the two great extensions of Malleshwaram and Basavanagudi" was the encomium heaped on Basavanagudi by no less a person than Dr. Vikram Sarabhai himself, the father of India's space programme, with whom I had the fortune of sharing a car ride in the mid 1960s, when I was a graduate student. Basavana-gudi means Bull Temple. Actually, the whole extension takes on the name of the temple which used to be very simple then. There was a water tank behind the temple where we used to go for immersion of Ganesha idol once a year. Today, the…