CITIZEN JOURNALISM

It was 7:30 AM on June 1st, when Anush Shetty spotted a Pied Cuckoo at the Valley School campus on Kanakapura road, just perched by the trail. The Pied Cuckoo is associated with monsoon in India, flying from Africa across the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean every year around June. Shetty has also spotted other migratory birds such as Ashy Drongo and Verditer Flycatcher at Lalbagh and Valley school campuses in the last few months. Shetty, an engineer working at a startup firm near South End circle (Jayanagar), is part of a volunteer team or citizen scientists, taking part…

BBMP wants to take land from the owners along the 100 feet ring road (BTM Layout and JP Nagar) for road widening. They say they are doing this "for the benefit of the larger population". Now compare this with Bangalore Metro train project. The government setup a committee  called "Thomas Committee" which analysed the socio-economic impact and set the guidelines for deciding the compensation package for each of the affected land owners and business establishments. The report can be seen at the following link here. Now the Metro is also being built in the same place and the irony is…

One might wonder as to what is so unusual for a person to use a wheelchair at any airport; often these are people who are sick, old or unable to walk due to fractures or disability. For me it was scary, challenging and full of apprehension. That’s because I have been a patient of Parkinson disease for the last ten to twelve years.Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder caused by degeneration of brain cells and is a progressive disease which leads to chronic disabilities of movements such as  slowness, tremors, drooping rigidity called Bradyskinesia and Dyskinesia which cause involuntary movements…

Most festivals irrespective of religion are these days scrutinised for the impact they have on environment. Ganesh Chaturthi is one such festival. Environmentalists say that the plaster of paris and toxic paints used in making Ganesha idols, when immersed in lakes and pond harm the environment. Cycle Race at National College Grounds. Pic: Deepak. But this unique celebration at National College grounds in Jayanagar was not merely environment friendly but also encouraged the use of cycles which is one of the most humble and powerful solutions to the grave environmental problems we face today.RideACycle Foundation (RAC-F), organised a cycle race…

There is complete chaos with the markings that BBMP has made on the properties on 100 ft Ring Road in JP Nagar, where they say they will now acquire part of our property to widen an already wide road.1. Minutes of a CDP (Comprehensive Development Plan 2015) meeting classifies this as a medium density road, why would the BBMP need more than a 100 ft road for a medium density road.2. The Peripheral Ring Road is getting ready, should they not divert all heavy vehicles to that road which would then mean there would be no need for road widening.3. These…

Doesn't it look like the two trees at Lalbagh Gardens are dancing arm in arm, or rather, branch in branch! ⊕

On 9 August, M  Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu, unveiled the statue of Thiruvalluvar near Ulsoor Lake. Kalaignar, as he is popularly known, was at the RBANMS grounds when the statue was unveiled by remote control.  The yellow curtains opened and suddenly, magically the statue became visible to people from all four directions. There was a hush and it took a while for people to start clapping.It was past 12:20 PM.  Kalaignar’s speech broadcasted over loudspeakers, talked of the need to build interstate brotherhood which was lavishly quoted from Sarvagna’s couplets.  He said publishing Kannada poet’s couplets…

Last week, I walking towards JP Nagar 4th phase and I realised that the footpaths were dangerously uneven. I am a student preparing for my competitive exams. I am constantly studying and hence retaining information and staying fit is of primary importance. I was being extra cautious and tried not to slip off any stone slab. As I am thinking about how smart and careful I was, my head collides against a branch of a tree (so much for being careful!!). I would not blame it on my height as I am of average build. It took me a while to recover from the jolt and…

Amidst the colourful displays of dinosaurs, teddy bears and the mermaid, this cacti plant stood out, at the Independence Day Flower Show at Lalbagh. ⊕

Dear Bangaloreans, THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY, LET US LIBERATE OURSELVES FROM GARBAGE! Reclaim Bengaluru is a pan Bengaluru campaign which is an attempt to get Bangaloreans to come out and clean the streets of Bengaluru on the 15th of August, 2009, Independence Day. You can register for this by signing up on the web page www.cbengaluru.com. List of zones for the Clean Bengaluru Campaign:JP Nagar 7th, 8th Phase, RBI Layout, Gaurav Nagar, Novodhaya Nagar, Kothanur, Surabhi Nagar, Nayak Layout - Call Manjunath 9036221288JP Nagar 1st, 2nd Phase, Sarakki – Call Aniruddha 9036571713Srinivasnagar, Hanumanthnagar, Gandhi Bazaar - Call Nishchita 9844465275Padmanabhnagar - Call…