CITIZEN JOURNALISM

There was a time, not so long ago, when I enjoyed driving in Bangalore (as it was then). The run from J.P. Nagar to Century Club in Cubbon Park was a breeze.No more. Things have changed – as they will. The human population has exploded; the vehicle population has increased even faster. Fuel prices have gone through the roof. Roads are proving inadequate and increasingly unusable. There is mounting recognition that the citizen should use public transport more and more. The Administration is undoubtedly doing its bit – except that it is falling woefully short of needs. The ancient ubiquitous…

From time to time newspapers report that an effort is to be made to improve footpaths (sidewalks, pavements) to benefit pedestrian movement. In 2005 and 2006 such statements came from the office of the Commissioner, BMP. In 2007 the Deccan Herald reported that the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic & Security) had announced work on, ‘a policy dedicated to construction and maintenance of footpaths’. There is hardly any evidence on the ground of results from either initiative.Footpath access blocked by Police (Pic: S.G.Narayanamurthy)16th Cross kerb 2007 (Pic: S.G.Narayanamurthy)Bank van customers block Footpath (Pic: S.G.Narayanamurthy)Car equipping work on Footpath (Pic: S.G.Narayanamurthy)Cars…

In part 1 of this article, we saw the the various types of encroachments that hinder pedestrian mobility. Here we take a look at what is involved in finding a solution. Ward level staff will not be able to deal with these different types of encroachment without a sound operational framework and good training.The best starting point could be an official mission statement. This should emphasise that provision of encroachment-free pavements for pedestrians is an essential measure of public safety. It is not only pedestrians who will benefit, but it can go a good way towards making driving less stressful.It…

We volunteers at the Association for India's Development (AID), Bangalore chapter, are collecting relief material and cheques, to be sent to our people/partner groups in Bihar. Full details, click here.Contact:pulkitparikh [at] yahoo [dot] com or 99161-73750This is a request for your support. You can also conduct a collection drive in your office, apartment and among your friends. We plan to dispatch all collected items on the 25th of this month. Here are the details on what to collect, where to send, what AID is doing in Bihar, etc. We encourage you to disseminate this appeal far and wide.Donating money: Online…

The one thing that you would definitely find every two streets of Bangalore is a small green cozy park. Bangalore boasts of more than 500 parks in the city. Most of us would have memories attached with one of those parks and the play area there where we spent childhood playing on swings, slides, seesaws, etc. But if you happen to pass by Coles Park in Frazer Town now, you will see a different kind of play area, something like the picture below.If you thought these are made to make things more fun for children or is the creation of…

A pair of white canvas shoes that belonged to a boy in the D block of our apartment, a white shirt borrowed from my little cousin who stayed a few miles away, and I was still without the white skirt the night before the Independence day. A call to neighbours’ arranged a pair of white shorts from a boy in the A block. You see, the women folk (or women leaders) in my apartment decided on an agenda for Independence day that included a drill for the kids, and my 5 year old daughter was participating. We were told not…

There is something interesting for our readers and I am sure they will like to get involved in this venture.An NGO, called SGBS Trust, has been working on uplifting the lot of the poor by conducting FREE vocational guidance. The name of the project is Unnati, their address is: UnnatiTemple Road, NGEF Layout, Sadanandanagar, BANGALORE 560-038.Phone: 2534-8642In this new premises, opened in March 2008, Unnati has been conducting free coaching for the poor and ensuring their placement after completion of the coaching. Already over 400 poor youngsters have been well placed, thus transforming the lifestyle of the families.Friends who have…

This was the first year that I did not see the national flag being hoisted either in person or on the television. Every year, I used to attend the flag hoisting ceremony in some school nearby or at least get to see it on the television. This is the first year that I did not listen to the national anthem. This is the first year that I did not even realize that 15th August was actually our Independence Day! What was I doing then? I was getting enlightened as to what this day meant to thousands of poor people, who…

I celebrated this Independence Day with a bang. Inspired by Landmark Education, which offers innovative programs for living an extraordinary life, I took on two projects. One called ‘Adopt a plant’ in my apartment complex and the other called ‘Colours of Freedom’ in the local government school.Adopt a PlantKids these days live a very ‘urban’ life. The idea behind this event was to help them get close to nature by gifting them the joy of nurturing and taking care of a plant. When a kid takes care of a plant, waters it, and watches it grow, it helps the kid…

I would like to share my experiences with all of you about how well my Independence Day celebrations went on. It is a tradition my friends and I have followed for many many years, of playing cricket on that day and fighting down to the bone to ensure victory, but what keeps us constantly distracted from the game is the flower show. I live diagonally opposite Lalbagh, the home to the greatest crowd puller on Independence days and Republic days in Bangalore. The main attraction being the flower show which showcases the a wonderful collection of flowers. But this is…