Blogs

Seen at City Market, Bangalore.  Pic by Kshitij Garg

Heard that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been spending thousands of crores of rupees on 'development' projects? And awarding contracts to various private consultants? But, who are they? Bangalore based Anti Corruption Forum (ACF - a group of social activists who have good experience and knowledge of the RTI Act and many other legislations) decided to find out. According to information ACF has obtained, a total of 97 consultants throughout India have been appointed for the 'development' work out of which 18 are from Bangalore. The ACF filed an RTI application with the BBMP in December 2009, requesting details…

The episode at Carlton Towers could have happened anywhere in the city. The fire of 23rd February claimed nine and many more were hurt. The question of plan permissions, collusion, bye-law and safety violations and more are all being discussed in the media.One of the points being made by authorities (especially the BBMP) now, is that they cannot be blamed if builders and owners violate plan sanctions after occupancy certificates are issued. Really? Let's take a closer look at how plenty of wrongdoing happens during the plan approval process itself, i.e. before buildings are constructed and occupied.  Some years ago,…

This is something I would loved to have participated in if I'd been in Bangalore....do participate! Cycle Rally - 7th March 2010The Event: 'Go Green Bangalore' - A Cycle Rally in Bangalore on Sunday, 7th March 2010, 6.30 am.The Task: Cycling 21 kms : Kanteerva Stadium - Hebbal Flyover - Kanteerva Stadium.The Cause:· To commemorate International Women's Day.· To tell Bangalore that it is time to Go Green and Healthy.· To urge the Government to create cycling and walking lanes around the city.Participation: Anyone and everyone who believes in cleaner and greener Bangalore. Beg, borrow, buy a cycle and be…

National Institute of Advanced StudiesIndian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore 560 012Tel. 080-22185000, Fax: 080-2218 5028URL: www.nias.res.inDOCTORAL PROGRAMMEThe National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) is one of the uniqueinstitutions in the country, conducting advanced research inmultidisciplinary areas that bridge the gap between the natural andengineering sciences, social sciences, humanities and the arts. A limitednumber of research scholarships are available in the Institute for brightand committed postgraduate students interested in pursuing independentresearch across disciplines towards a doctoral degree.*AREAS OF SPECIALISATION*The specific areas of research in which students may be admitted for theyear 2010-2011 are the following:- Education- National Security, Strategic Studies-…

...to question whyshe needs permissionto answer nature ...to wonder aloudwhy 'adults' oftendiscuss kids' issueswithout consulting them...to inform 'leaders'that their needsare critical too...to remind eldersthat they maybecitizens of tomorrowbut are around now!   Inspired by what I saw and heard from and about the young during the Civil Society Summit 2010, a commemoration and re-examination of 60 years of the Indian Republic and its constitution, held in Bangalore from 24th-26th January. 

 Hardships.Children.Smiles.  Picture by Govind Chakravarti 

Celebrating Turahalli.It is that time of the year once again, when all the rock climbers inand around get together for some bouldering at Turahalli. It's alsothe time for us to spread the awareness about sport and grow theclimbers tribe.Turahalli hillock is a place with lot of boulders and wildlife justoff Kanakapura road and around 8 kilo-meters from Banashankari Templein Bangalore South. It has been the practising ground for the rockclimbers in and around Bangalore for many decades.Celebration of Turahalli by Rock Climbers.Rock climbers in and around Bangalore are gathering on Sunday 21st Febmorning in Turahalli to celebrate the place which…

Celebrating Turahalli.It is that time of the year once again, when all the rock climbers inand around get together for some bouldering at Turahalli. It's alsothe time for us to spread the awareness about sport and grow theclimbers tribe.Turahalli hillock is a place with lot of boulders and wildlife justoff Kanakapura road and around 8 kilo-meters from Banashankari Templein Bangalore South. It has been the practising ground for the rockclimbers in and around Bangalore for many decades.Celebration of Turahalli by Rock Climbers.Rock climbers in and around Bangalore are gathering on Sunday 21st Febmorning in Turahalli to celebrate the place which…

Getset and Go decided that they did, after all, want to sell a stake in their company to the Zing Group. They went back to Gyan, their advisor.Gyan, "Looking at this in a lighter vein, you have now moved to Level 2, in this game of selling your business. Level 1 has been completed; the result - you have decided to go ahead with the possible sale. As you move on to Level 2... you need to answer the next set of questions and get into this game in much more depth." Getset, "Oh Gyan, not again... more questions?"Gyan, "…