bangalore

The nice thing about having teens, is that you get to meet a lot of exciting young people - many of whom are musically gifted. I hope to bring you stories of these young musicians who are chasing their dreams and in many ways paving a new path for themselves & others. In this column, we'll meet one classical musician who juggles a full time career with her music and a disc jockey (DJ) who's building a career out of his passion. Priyanka Prakash is a popular singer in the Carnatic music circuit.  Music has been an integral part of…

Pic courtesy: Information Department, Govt of Karnataka Video conference between courts and jails Acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee inaugurated the pilot of high definition video conference between courts and jails at Bengaluru as a part of Digital India Week. The pilot launch includes two courts — City Civil Court and 1st Additional Court Bangalore and district court, Mangalore and six district jails, namely, Mysuru, Dharwad, Kalburgi, Belgavi, Vijayapura and Bellary. The project will provide high definition video conferencing facility to all jails and courts in the state of Karnataka, which is perceived to be…

A week has gone by since I last wrote and about six days have gone by since I last heard from BBMP. BBMP called me several times last Friday asking me if the work was done — and in spite of numerous assurances — no work has been done.  The BBMP Sahaaya complaint number is 10506777 and the last SMS communication I received, informing me that the complaint has been 'assigned' was on June 23rd. I also have a Malleshwaram Sahaaya complaint number - 2760084. However, in this case, the SMS only says that the complaint has been created.  It is…

From the moment I stepped off the plane, it became impossible to forget that I was in Bengaluru; the city demanded my attention. The humidity that alighted on my skin and curled my hair, the sound of new languages being spoken around me - it all seemed to say, “Hey! Pay attention! You’re not at home anymore!” As if I could forget. No sense is left untouched. At all times of day, the sounds, sights, and smells of the city surround me. I fall asleep and wake up to a barrage of horns, the howling of dogs, the sound of…

It was any other quite Sunday morning in Malleshwaram. However, for us it was a big day that had dawned. Malleshwaram Parisara, our annual ecofair by Malleshwaram Swabhimanaa Initiative (MSI) was to take place at Hymamshu Jyothi Kala Peeta on June 28th 2015. This time it was a lot bigger than last year, there was a huge turnout which included a larger number of eco-friendly stalls. The fair was inaugurated by our MLA Aswathnarayan, Principal of Hymamshu Jyothi Kala Peetha BVA Rao, Vijayakumar and MSI president Sumathi Rao. There were 30+ stalls in all. Most of the stalls were by…

A few days ago I noticed that the streetlights and new LED streetlamps on 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, were not working properly. I thought I should complain and I did so on several fronts. 1. I complained to the BBMP Assistant Officer for Malleshwaram by email and `WhatsApp' 2. I wrote to the MLA - Ashwath Narayan 3. I also filed a complaint on 'malleshwaram.sahaaya.in' I got a call from someone a few days later but it so happened that the LED lights were working at that point. The streetlights were still not working. A few days later, on Monday, June…

Pic: Sheeja Cassius   Potholes - I got you under my skin!! When you are tired of sobbing, you sing! The worst pothole on varthur gunjur stretch had me and my pillion in. Ironically we were on our way to collect an IGCSE report card (International)! To save the road of an empty fuel guzzler and wasted carbon footprint, I stick to a mobike when we are two... I trailed behind a couple cars... Maybe three feet away? But that wasn't enough to steer me away from this nasty one as I swerved to avoid and skid straight in. The…

June 8th 30 million people. It boggles the mind to think that so many could live in a single metropolitan area. But the Jakarta city region is just that - the second largest concentration of people anywhere in the world. The city itself (which is itself actually 5 municipalities) is of Bangalore proportions - 10 million, 700 sq km - but the metro area which includes many other cities is thrice the size. In 25 years, a few Indian cities could look like this - vast, a little more wealthy than today, and juxtapositions of order and chaos, rich and…

PNLIT is delighted to be one of the recipients of 94.3 Radio One's #BangaloreAtItsBest awards, given away at a function in Bangalore on 31st May 2015. There were about 27 individuals/groups/businesses that were recognised for "outstanding service to the city of Bangalore and working towards keeping #BangaloreAtItsBest". I was happy to collect the certificate from the Chief Guest Justice Santosh Hegde, on behalf of PNLIT.Thanks to all our supporters for helping PNLIT make a positive difference! Justice Santosh Hegde speaks    A view of the "heroes" on display at the function   Some of the awardees

Allalasandra Lake, Yelahanka will host Bangalore's fifth Kere Habba on Sunday 7th June 2015. Since January this year, the Namma Bengaluru Foundation has been regularly collaborating with local lake groups to organise Kere Habbas (lake festivals) across the city. The earlier four habbas were held at Kaikondrahalli, Puttenahalli JP Nagar, Madiwala and Chellakere.  The Allalasandra Kere Habba is being held in collaboration with Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA). About YUVA: YUVA has been in the forefront of the rejuvenation of the 44-acre Allalasandra Lake, with support from the Upa Lokayukta, local MLA, Corporator, BBMP, BWSSB, police officials and citizens. It…