CITIZEN JOURNALISM

Karnataka has long worn its forests as a crown, steeped in folklore, sanctified in song, and stitched into its cultural identity. None captured this reverence better than cultural icon and cinema legend Dr Rajkumar, whose evergreen lines, "Naaviruva Thaanave Gandhada Gudi. Andada Gudi Gandhada Gudi. Chandada Gudi Srigandhada Gudi," remain etched in the Kannada psyche. These words weren’t just poetic tributes—they were declarations of love for the sacred groves of this land. At the heart of this green devotion lies Bengaluru. Now known for its traffic and tech parks, the city once breathed through its 35 forest blocks, spread across…

The dust has settled over the IPL frenzy and the Royal Challengers’ win, following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, and the government is working to establish accountability. Now, it is time to calmly review the systemic flaws that have come to light and introspect on how citizens may also have contributed to the tragedy.  What appears to be the chief cause is the ‘culture of lawlessness’ that pervades our entire society — from elected representatives and bureaucrats to private enterprises, fans, and ordinary citizens. Did the government compromise public safety?    What was the urgency, or even the necessity, for…

Bengaluru’s cultural scene is a dynamic blend of history and modernity. From Kempegowda’s legacy to its evolving cosmopolitan spirit, the city embraces tradition and change equally. It boasts several cultural landmarks such as the Bengaluru Palace of the Wodeyar dynasty, Rangashankara, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum and Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), alongside green retreats like the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Cubbon Park and Bannerghatta. From the neighbourhoods of Basavanagudi celebrating 'Kadlekai Parishe' (groundnut fair), flower shopping at Malleshwaram, to the renowned 'Karaga' in Chickpete, the city flaunts many micro-cultures tied to communities and shared local narratives. Bengaluru has also become a…

ಬುರಗುಂಟೆ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಒಂದು ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಬದಲಾವಣೆ ರೂಪಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದೆ - ಇದು ಅಡುಗೆಮನೆಯ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಪೋಷಣೆಯಾಗಿ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅದನ್ನು ಅಳವಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಿಗೆ ಆ ಗೊಬ್ಬರವು ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಿ ಆಹಾರ ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಸರಳ ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾದ ಇದು ಈಗ ಲಲಿತಾ ಅಕ್ಕ ಎಂಬ ದೃಢನಿಶ್ಚಯವುಳ್ಳ ಮಹಿಳೆಯ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮೂಹಿಕ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನವಾಗಿ ವಿಕಸನಗೊಂಡಿದೆ.  ಸರ್ಜಾಪುರದ ಆನೇಕಲ್ ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕಿನ ಬುರಗುಂಟೆ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ನಿವಾಸಿಗಳು, ನಗರ ಮತ್ತು ಪಟ್ಟಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯ ವಿಲೇವಾರಿ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ಬಹಳ ಹಿಂದಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಅನುಸರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು - ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮಿಶ್ರ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಬಿಲ್ಲಾಪುರ ಗ್ರಾಮ ಪಂಚಾಯಿತಿಯಿಂದ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸುವ ವಾಹನಕ್ಕೆ ಹಸ್ತಾಂತರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಈ ವಾಹನವು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಭೂಕುಸಿತಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಗಿಸುತಿತ್ತು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ಕಸವನ್ನು ಎಸೆಯಲಾಗುತ್ತಿತು ಅಥವಾ ಸುಡಲಾಗುತಿತ್ತು. ಬುರುಗುಂಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರಿಗೆ ತಾವು ಅಳವಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯ ವಿಲೇವಾರಿಯ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸದಿಂದುಂಟಾಗುವ ದುಷ್ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅರಿವಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಅನೇಕ ಜನರು ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಮನೆಯ ಅಂಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಸಾಡುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಸುಡುತಿದ್ದರು, ಇದರಿಂದ ಅನೇಕ…

The winds are warmer, the rains are more erratic, and the oceans whisper warnings we can no longer ignore. In this age of climate urgency, our greatest hope lies not just in technology but in leadership that understands the Earth’s cry. Climate action is no longer optional, and the very people crafting policies must be well-informed. But what if they aren't? A first-of-its-kind study in Tamil Nadu by Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) takes us into the minds of our lawmakers, not to question their intentions, but to understand their climate readiness. The study assessed 20 Members of…

Now that the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill (GBGB) has received the Governor's assent and has become an Act (GBGA), its troubling provisions that overturn the 74th Constitutional Amendment (74th CAA) must be challenged. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Nagarapalika Act clearly outlines the necessity of the constitutional amendment. It states: “In many States local bodies have become weak and ineffective on account of a variety of reasons, including the failure to hold regular elections, prolonged supersession, and inadequate devolution of powers and functions. As a result, Urban Local Bodies are not able to perform effectively as vibrant…

May 15th, 2025, marks a historic yet troubling milestone in Bengaluru’s urban governance. With the Government of Karnataka implementing the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBGA), what could have been a moment to strengthen democratic decentralisation has instead exposed deep fault lines: The erosion of constitutional intent Structural failings in implementation The sidelining of local governance mechanisms Local self-government being weakened The failure of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to deliver effective governance has been used as the justification for enacting the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBGA). However, this move appears to be a deliberate effort to sideline the 74th…

For over seven years, I have lived in a gated community in Thalambur, located behind Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai’s IT Corridor. This rapidly developing suburban area enjoys proximity to some of the city’s best infrastructure, including high-rise buildings and world-class offices. However, like many other suburban neighbourhoods in the city, the local administration lacks an efficient solid waste management system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed that mixed waste collected from communities was indiscriminately dumped near water bodies or on vacant land. This practice contributes to land, groundwater, and air pollution while releasing harmful greenhouse gases like methane, which contribute…

The Bombay Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), Mumbai’s public bus service, has been an integral part of the life of the city’s residents for a century, supporting its thriving economy. Until a decade ago, it was a source of pride and a model for other Indian cities. However, its decline is now evident, largely due to a lack of transparency in decision-making regarding its operation and revival. As an environmental activist advocating for sustainable cities and a lifelong BEST user, I find its current state deeply saddening. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and BEST directly oversee the service's operations…

I remember the first time I set up my kitchen garden and finished sowing. The joy in the germination, of seeing something grow is the best. I would talk to my plants every day, water them lovingly, and carefully follow all the advice people gave me, to keep them healthy—adding compost, avoiding overwatering, and sticking to companion planting guidelines. But then they struck!!! PESTS. About a month in, I noticed tiny black insects covering the stems. I later learned they were aphids. Over the years of kitchen gardening, I’ve battled mealybugs, aphids, stem borers, fruit flies—you name it. Some seasons…