Blogs

Transfer. A piece of paper with an order written on it. In the stroke of a pen, Bharat Lal Meena was lifted from the top of BBMP and placed atop the BDA. Another stroke, and BDA Commissioner H Siddaiah takes his place.But why were they transferred? No reasons given.These are top officials with responsibilities. Their current roles have a relevance and power that citizens understand. The same state government that seeks so much publicity for its much acclaimed accomplishments (see the posters of B S Yeddyurappa and R Ashoka on Volvo buses this week), does not even bother to issue…

I was intrigued by this "head meat"until I realized that it is probably "bheja" or brain....and that "kalu soup" is made from trotters....so you can truly eat, head to foot!However, I wouldn't find this veg very appetising...If, after eating all that, you develop a rash and can't drive...you have to go for some tharphy....but then, of course, you will get a headache trying to put your kid in this school:How rare to find honesty in this world...this auto describes itself as "dangerous".....And, living in an apartment building where milk sachets are delivered every morning and are often stolen (sometimes by…

Last week’s photo was of a memorial that is said to be of Lakshmamma, daughter-in-law of Kempegowda, founder of Bangalore. The story goes that when Kempegowda was building his new fort, its southern gate would collapse every night. Astrologers advised him to conduct a human sacrifice but Kempegowda was reluctant to do so. And then one morning, as workers went to work on the gate once again, they found it had not collapsed. But nearby lay the body of Lakshmamma, Kempegowda’s pregnant daughter-in-law, who had killed herself to appease the Gods. A distraught Kempegowda is said to have built a…

Courtesy: Meera Iyer. This memorial in Koramangala is supposed to mark the spot where a daughter-in-law is said to have died for the sake of our city many, many years ago. Where exactly is this memorial and how is it connected with the story of our city? INTACH is a non-profit organisation, setup to protect and conserve India's vast natural and cultural heritage. See the answer in my next post.  ⊕

For a mother who is often at loss about where to entertain her child, especially when you have no option but to take them along for some chores or shopping, it’s great to see some interesting play centers opening up in Bangalore. These are stand-alone activity centres with simple props and games that encourage action and provide a safe zone for kids to happily hop, skip and jump - not the noise pollution factories that masquerade as bowling alleys and gaming areas in most malls. There’s Monkey Maze in Indiranagar that has a huge soft play area for kids upstairs…

Yesterday, some active members of Forward 150 federation, inaugurated the tree planting on Kaikondrahalli Lake.They did a Bhoomi puja and planted four trees on the island. The remaining 2500 saplings will be planted by volunteers in the coming days before island & bunds work completes. There is scope to plant about 250 odd trees on the island itself, pits have been dug up for the same.  ⊕

To build a house,You clear the land;You clear out every blade of grass;Wipe out every insect in the sand.Cut down any neighbouring tree,Make sure that a single bird cannot seeEven a tiny green spot to sit.Have you completely achieved it?Congrats! No green, no creature, not even a mouse...NOW that your home's free of Nature... of every vestige..Call it "Nisarga"...and add to your prestige! ⊕

Travelling by Auto is not all about noise & pollution. A few things do make you smile;like this one at Mekhri Circle and this one on Queens road ⊕

It's a classic case of putting cart before the horse and getting away with it. The Jayanagar Traffic and Transit Management Centre - a fancy name for a new bus stand located in a multi-storey building - was inaugurated in August 2009. The cost was around Rs.12 crores. It was a classic sarkari ceremony with the chief minister cutting the ribbon, transport minister attending, and the works. The media was happy to report it too.The centre has space for offices in the second and third floors and a swanky terrace parking lot for the public on the fourth level. They…

I had to visit theShanthi Polyclinic a small nursing home, in Jayanagar 4th Block, and it was a pleasant discovery to find a nameless, boardless canteen, tucked away under the road level!The canteen serves both breakfast items such as Uppittu and Idli, as well as rice items for lunch, and tea and coffee, starting from about 6.30 am to about 8pm, every day. It is a great boon for the families of patients who have been either admitted to the clinic, or are even waiting there for consultations or tests. The rates are extremely reasonable...so much so that I found…