Blogs

Its chic and very Ooh La La.  For croissants and conversations. Pic: Uma SwamyWe are talking about The French Loaf that inaugurated its latest outlet at Aurobindo Marg, J P Nagar, 1st Phase, near Indira Gandhi Circle.  People can choose among a variety of The French Loaf's specialty items such as croissants, pastries, pies and doughnuts. Those wanting a quiet tete-a-tete can enjoy the air-conditioned indoor or the outdoor seating arrangements.Located near  Sarakki Gate, on the Kanakapura Main Road, Sri Raghavendra Davanagere Benne Dose Hotel is a favorite of the dosa connoisseurs of the area.  Mouth water benne dosa beckons.…

Schools have reopened and the market is flooded with ‘Back to School' offers. The Jayanagar 4th block shopping complex takes the cake for all copycat products. Apart from having a great variety they also are the cheapest. Big Bazaar comes in close at second as they have standard products at reasonable prices. Chain stores such as Landmark, Crossword and Staples sell branded and higher priced products. Spoilt for choices. Pic: Smit Zaveri School bags Jayanagar 4th block complex- Children's bags and Backpacks start from Rs 200 Big bazaar- canvas and polyester bags - Rs 349 to Rs 999. Staples -…

As a creative writer I am constantly discovering new things about places, people and myself. Since the last four years though I have been privileged to tackle perhaps my greatest discovery - the Puttenahalli Lake in J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase. What began as a wish to prevent misuse of the lake gathered momentum and led to the formation of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) in June 2010. Eleven months later, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BBMP to formally maintain the lake, the first citizens’ group to do so. Every time we visit the lake, my…

After over a decade of hard work, hard water and loads of dishes done sometimes even twice a day, the Electrolux dishwasher recently died on us. The missus and I debated some, and in line with the lower foot print (both from an energy as well as a financial point of view), decided to switch to hand-washed dishwashing. The need for a tap and sink in the utility area quickly made itself on to the to-do list on the fridge. Do you even know how much a steel kitchen sink costs!? Could set you back 3500/- quite easily. Plus, did…

Those of us living along the periphery of the town are a blessed lot - a couple of kilometers from home brings us to a very pretty, quiet, unrushed and refreshing countryside.   Its all those things - pretty, quiet, unrushed and refreshing - at least in part, because of the lack of traffic around there, so let's keep it like that. Instead, pick up a cycle and ride! We're in a city with really pleasant mornings, global warming notwithstanding. Especially now, with the summer behind us, early mornings and gentle showers are a great way to start a weekend.…

To bring about more awareness about traffic rules and make Bangalore city more traffic friendly, Outer Ring Roads Association (ORRCA), an association of IT and ITES in the city companies is planning to observe 9th of every month as ‘Traffic Day’ beginning this June.  ORRCA is urging citizens of Bangalore to enlist as volunteers and stand at major road junctions where they manage traffic, the ‘Munnabhai’ way. What you can do as a volunteerAs a volunteer, if you find anyone violating traffic rules such as, criss-crossing on road, triple riding, using mobile phones while riding or driving, please stop him…

  This morning, as I walked in Forest Park, I inhaled the heady scent of the magnolia blossoms, and though I am not a nostalgic person usually, the scent evoked memories of what I call the "pre-IT Bangalore"...the sleepy, lovely city that we moved into, in 1988. One of the loveliest memories from those days is that of inhaling the scent of the Sampige trees as I walked, and cycled, in Cubbon Park...Then, there were not too many apartments around; it was we, who lived in such apartments, who were the newly-arrived interlopers. At many parties, I would hear the complaints…

The inaugural match of the Indian Volley League (IVL) between Karnataka Bulls and Yanam Tigers took place at Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Sunday, May 29th at 6.30 pm. The publicity that the IVL took so much trouble for seemed to be of little use. The stadium, with a capacity of 4000, had about a 1000 odd people holding yellow balloons and waiting for the match to begin. In the meanwhile, dancers and musicians entertained the crowd with Bollywood numbers.After salutations to Karnataka Maate with 'Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate', sung by a group of young women in yellow and red…

Last month, it was summer holidays time and the youngsters at Regalia Apartment in Malleswaram were missing waste management awareness campaigns that they loved doing. A call from Meenakshi Byre Gowda got them excited as they got a chance to talk and present their favorite topic 'managing waste at source'.In this video they are introducing WM to a group of citizens at 'Dignity Coffee Chavadi' of Vidyaranyapura. This meeting was arranged by Meenakshi who has been promoting waste management very enthusiastically. Malaika Vijay and Anugraha Anand have been the kid ambassadors of our campaign to create waste sensitive communities. ⊕

Karnataka State Billiard Association reports the conclusion of the semi-final league matches of the 35th Junior Snooker Karnataka State Ranking tournament at the KSBA hall. The tournament saw a keenly contested battle for the first place. Mundir Sherazi emerged on top conquering the State Junior Snooker title for the 4th time and double title, having won Billiard title earlier. Mundir Sherazi, Nikhil Pise. Pic: KSBA. Nikhil Pise and M L Laxman are now at second and third position respectively. Their position in Billiards being reversed.  Mundir Sherazi and Nikhil Pise will represent the State as No 1 and No 2…