Blogs

The past few months have given us several examples once again that Bangaloreans do not sit silent beyond a point. Yes, you can push citizens here for some time, but push hard enough and they are likely to hit back. The message from the backlash against auto rickshaw drivers tampering meters and refusing rides to passengers with runaway impunity is clear: 'We've had enough'. The mere fact that the unions have reportedly met and have started making pronouncements to address citizen fury is indicative that it took a united expression of anger to bring the auto rickshaw driver community to…

From June, work has been going on.First the BBMP workers started clearing the front portion. Some sections of the plot have been left empty. One portion is apparently meant for a BBMP centre. The federation has asked for a water recharge pond at the back. Here is the status as of June end. Here is the update from July end. Pathways have been laid out, red soil filled in. The borewell looks ready. (Should they be using borewell/drinking water for watering plants?). The children's play equipment has been moved here.  Latest news: some ornamental plants have arrived. The light poles…

Today, mentors, investors and angel investors are available in plenty in Bengaluru. There is a lot of energy and excitement in the air. While a great mentor and investor can do wonders to take your company from one orbit to the next, a bad one can deplete your energy and dilute company value. Here are some thoughts from Gyan, the super-mentor on the current scenario.. "to trigger thinking":•·        Think through the long term impact of the investors/mentors/advisors on your business when you decide to give away equity, both positive and not so positive•·        If there is a mix of investors/mentors…

  I was lucky to catch this sparrow while it took a moment to rest. The once common sparrow seems to be disappearing from Bangalore replaced by the ugly crow.Pic By Ravi Kaushik ⊕

Dramanon is a young Bangalore-based theatre group whose fortunes I have been following for a fair length of time now, and I have been impressed with their commitment to English theatre, given the obstructions that an amateur group has always to face: affordability of theatre space, funding obstacles, and rehearsal difficulties with day jobs to take care of. They like to choose plays, that, in their own words, "have spunk", and this time, the play in question was Elling, Simon Bent's adaptation of a cult Norwegian film, which in turn was based on a novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen. 'Elling' by…

I went for a short walk just now...and here are the things I did....I went across to the "Samatha" cobbler's booth across the road, and found that after 6 days, the cobbler was still absent, and the booth closed. After the closure of the booth where my "regular" lady cobbler used to repair my footwear and handbags...this man was my "regular" guy. Strangely, no other vendor in the area knows where he has gone, or what has happened to him...he's a hard-working guy (though sometimes the smell of liquor wafts across!) and does good work, so I  hope he's just…

Note from Sudhakar Pai.This Saturday, we planted around 140 saplings at Kaikondarahalli lake, and another hundred more on Sunday. Tree planting on 31st July at Kaikondrahalli Lake. Pic: Sudhakar Pai. Special thanks to the children who enthusiastically participated. Tree planting on 1st Aug at Kaikondrahalli Lake. Pic: Sudhakar Pai.  ⊕

 Seen at Sankey Tank, Malleswaram.  Hope the board works. :) Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

A childhood's memories Of looking and waiting For something exciting From the grove of coconut trees A busy woodpecker An agile tree climber Two young boys Who made little noise If we missed these We simply counted the trees What rekindled these memories Was Visthar's coconut trees! Situated in an eco-friendly campus in Dodda Gubbi off the Hennur Road in east Bangalore, Visthar is a treasure trove of nature's bounty that drives one to reflect inwards while celebrating life. A veritable hub of socio-cultural and environmental consciousness this organization turned twenty one recently. Famous for hosting annual festivals and events that…

I was going to photograph something else, when this generator housing caught my eye: The housing said, Caterpillar, which is a well-known brand..but what really caught my attention was this "Butterfly Enclosure"!I wonder what this particular "Butterfly Enclosure" actually is? There IS a picture of a butterfly on the generator housing...but I don't really think they capture butterflies....or if they do, someone must tell them that...butterflies are free! ⊕