Blogs

Environment Support Group is organising a workshop on ‘Understanding therole and the importance of Wetlands in Urban spaces.' The workshop will beheld on 26th September 2009 at the MariGowda Hall in Lal Bagh.The various sessions are as follows: Historical view of lakes in Bangalore Current status of Lakes in Bangalore Criticality of lakes for water security in Bangalore Urban Lakes as functional eco-systems Legal and Policy frameworks that govern lakesThe workshop aims to bring together Decision makers, Media, NGOs, Teachers,Students and the general public.. You are also invited to use our workshop as an opportunity to display yourphoto-exhibits, charts, models,…

Read more

From Akka to Miss!

Coming from a family of academics, I assumed that teaching ability should be second nature even without formal training. And I'm apparently fine according to many children I have volunteered with although I may not match the exceptional skills of my grandfathers, mother and some of my extended family or a few of my school and college teachers. However, I never expected to receive such honour and affection as I did this September, 5.Actually, I have been a tutor, mentor, learner and friend rather than a school teacher and am still amused when kids address me as Ma'am or Miss…

Read more

Contacts play the most important role when you are doing a story. And it takes a while to build a rapport with these contacts. Once you establish this rapport, it's all for the best. This works all the more well with government officials. But what happens when these officials get transferred? Especially when you are the middle of a story? Let me tell you, it is disappointing. Very disappointing. And what if you feel you have something to do with these transfers? Not directly, but probably...hmmm...in a karmic way shall I say? Well, it all started off with the much-approachable…

Read more

TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS ANNOUNCES 2010 AWARDSTOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) invites submissions for its sixth annual arts awards for young photographers, writers, musicians and bands. There are five awards to be won - one for music (Rs 50,000), two for photography (Rs 25,000 each), and two for creative writing (Rs 25,000 each).TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS was founded in 2004, in memory of Angirus ‘Toto' Vellani who was intensely passionate about music, literature, films and the arts. Toto's untimely demise spurred his family and friends to create a non-profit foundation that would encourage the young to give expression to their…

Read more

Groundbreaking Children's Ride.When are we riding: Sunday, September 6th 2009Starting point: Sarjapur Road.http://quikmaps.com/show/113961 shows the directions from the junction of Outer Ring Road/Sarjapur ring road to the starting point. PLEASE NOTE THE GREEN ARROW IS THE STARTING POINTGathering time: 4:00PMDeparture time: 4:30PMExpected finish time: 6:30PMRide type: All Road Child Friendly RIDEDistance: two circles - one each 3KM and a 5KM circle. We will try to identify some place where we can stop for ice creams or kid-friendly snacks after the event.Number of children: Unknown at this time. (Will circulate this when we are done)NOTE: THIS IS OUR FIRST RIDE. SO…

Read more

TFA Photography Contest

TOTO AWARDS 2010PHOTOGRAPHYCALL FOR ENTRIESTOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA), in association with TASVEER, invites entries for its third annual TOTO awards for young Indian photographers. Two cash awards of Rs. 25,000 each will be given in January 2010. The spirit of the Toto Awards is to identify promise and encourage young talent. THEREFORE, entries are only invited from young people -- over the age of 18, who will not have celebrated their 30th birthday before 1 January 2010. The submissions should comprise a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 36 images, either in colour or black and white, or…

Read more

Citizens in JP Nagar and BTM Layout have been rankled recently when red colour signs showed up on compound walls and entrances of homes and shops. The signs indicated that 7-8 metres of their property is going to acquired for yet another roadwidening project.Last month, the BBMP decided it was going to widen the 14.5 kms-stretch from Silkboard (Hosur Road) through BTM Layout and JP Nagar to Mysore Road.Do not miss our exclusive story for more on this and what citizens and shopkeepers are doing to protect their interests. What will happen over the next few months is unclear, but…

Read more

In early 2006, many non-profit and community based organizations like SICHREM, ESG, Sangama, OpenSpace, Stree Jagruti Samiti et al and individuals (like yours truly) working with marginalized persons and social issues in and around Bangalore felt the need for an open, informal gathering and expression of life, our spirit and beliefs. The idea crystallized into Namma Jathre, Our Festival signifying that it is an event by and for everyone. When we first held the Jathre at Cubbon Park in November 2006, nearly 40 citizen's groups and 7000 people including the general public participated. This increased to over 40 organizations and…

Read more

Aiyoo Perumale!

...so said a friend, partly in anguish, partly in jest, referring to the Principal Secretary of the Government of Karnataka, Department of Health and Family Welfare, IR Perumal! I happened to witness this gentleman speaking at a press conference recently. He was talking about swine flu. He was there to dispel the myths about swine flu and reduce the panic among the public. The one thing about him that would strike you (or anyone) is the capacity of his vocal chords. He's loud! And animated! Well, that's not a bad thing at all. At this particular press conference he was…

Read more

Kamalini#37, 17th Cross, Sri Bhooma Malleswaram, Bangalore, Karnataka 560003Phone : 080 23567470, 988674837110th Main, Srinivasnagar, Near Ayappa temple, Banshankari I Stage, Bangalore-50.Ph: 9886748371.The cost varies from Rs.70 to Rs.1000 depending on the size of the Ganesha.Road Perpendicular to Bull Temple RoadNear BMS college of Engineering. Diagonally opposite Halli ThindiNo.3, West anjaneya temple road, Gandhi bazaar, Bangalore- 4Contact: 9342303247 Mr. SeshadriShree Enterprises#32, sweet homes layout, Srinivaspura, Uttarahalli, Kengeri main road, near Srinivas pura bus stopContact: 90366 05321-Mr. RamanGeleyara Balaga, BidadiContact: 9880990014 RaviKumarMany sellers in HAL market,old airport rd,Indiranagar,Pottery town....Sujatha 9886888117 is one sellerUttarahalli, Manju-9986523924Address: #56, Tatana Mane Compound,3rd Main Road, Chamarajpet,…

Read more