GENRE: LN

What would it be like to witness a bunch of people from all walks of life discussing and debating passionately on matters that matter? This was what happened at the lush green campus of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru on 9th May, when around 170 people from over 60 different organisations got together for the 'Unconference' on Green and Sustainability. (Unconferences as opposed to regular conferences, are organized, structured and led by the people attending it.) People from start up companies, large firms, educational institutions, governmental bodies and freelancers held a collective brain storming at a full day…

The votes are in. The leaders have been chosen. The people of Bengaluru have given their verdict on who is to represent them in Parliament. The lotus blooms in Bengaluru, said one TV channel. UPA sweeps, said another. Singh is King, Sonia is Queen, said one more. History has been created, said yet another. As the UPA is all smiles and ready to form the next government, they have not much reason to smile here in Bengaluru. Bangalore’s voters seem to have thought differently from their compatriots in the rest of the country. In a remarkable twist, for the first…

Education Rush for PU admissionA good pass percentage in SSLC results has created a rush for PU (Pre university) admission. Students and their parents are queueing at city colleges for admission. Serpentine queues has resulted in traffic blocks in certain places as well. There is also an increase in the number of students with high grades. Demand is higher for select private colleges. Though education department has fixed Rs. 15 as the application form fee, there are complaints that some colleges are collecting upto Rs. 200. ( Vijaya Karnataka , Wednesday, May 6 )High schools too will get gradesGovernment high…

HSR Layout Sector 2 is witness to numerous unauthorised and filthy garbage dumps with pigs and stray dogs adding to the menace. In tune with their aim of keeping a clean and healthy environment for one and all, we, the HSR Layout Sector-2 Residents Welfare Association, had conducted a garbage awareness campaign during April 2009. Officials and staff of BBMP also participated in the campaign on 18th April 2009.Pigs and dogs frequent garbage dumps in HSR Layout Sector 2 (Pic courtesy: Brig Murthy) Residents of HSR Layout Sector 2 campaign for a cleaner neighbourhood (pic courtesy: Brig. Murthy) The message…

We, the members of Apartments Owners Association of Aradhana Apartments in ST Bed Layout, Koramangala are concerned regarding developments leading to an unauthorized construction of a planned new road side temple structure alongside our apartment. The planned location for the unauthorized temple structure (pic courtsey: SV Krishnan) The construction is being planned by a group of people and the implications if this is allowed are:1.    The road is connecting the 80 feet road and the ring road through ST Bed Layout. Any structure which would result in attracting people would result in traffic congestion through these narrow roads.2.    There are…

“I hope I win an Oscar for India as Indians are crazy about Oscars,” AR Rahman quipped before he even won the Oscar. It is true the Oscars are a big deal in India, as is evident from the post Oscar success of the film. The lives of slum dwellers are suddenly coming to the forefront; inspiring film-makers, writers and artists. One such group of 14 artists came together at Crimson Art Gallery in Hatworks Boulevard on Cunningham Road, with an exhibition, ‘Big Dreams’, which had a collection of paintings inspired by Slumdog Millionaire. The show was on till 30th…

Government Government makes preparations for BBMP elections After a series of elections, Bangaloreans should be prepared for one more. Government has started the preparations for BBMP elections now. High Court, in its revised judgement, has instructed government to hold elections before the end of July this year. The government has already violated the court judgement before. It will not dare to repeat the same mistake again. The notification for BBMP elections is expected to come out next week. ( Prajavani , Wednesday, April 29 ) Vidhana Soudha gets life again After a couple of months of brief lull, the centre…

Citizen Matters, Bangalore's own interactive newsmagazine is happy to announce the first of a series of Citizen Journalism classes, on Saturday, 9th of May. Classes are open for all Bangaloreans. Please note the details in this post and confirm your attendance by Wednesday May 6th evening 4pm. SMS confirmations are welcome. Date: 9th May, 2009Location: Adarsh Business School, South End Road, Next to Police (Additional Commissioner's) Office, South End Circle, Jayanagar. (Map)Parking: In the basement Time: 2.30pm - 5.30pm.Contact for the class: Raghavendra, Citizen Matters, 9611106477.Seats will fill out quickly so please do not wait till the last minute and…

Business No demand for photographers Photographers who click pictures for tourists near Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh, Cubbon park and other places are leading a life of uncertainty these days. The number of tourists during this summer is decreasing. Adding to their woes, digital revolution has reduced the demand for photographers. With digital cameras, people themselves can take pictures. Photographers accept the fact that their income is going south. (Prajavani, Saturday, April 25) Recession ups demand for smaller flats Real estate is the worst hit due to global economic recession, and Bangalore is no exception. The demand for flats is nosediving. Those…

I wish to bring to your notice and hopefully the notice of all Bangaloreans the problems being faced by 10 families in Dodda Bommasandra, Vidyaranyapura Post that comes under Byatarayanapura CMC. About 50 days (9th March 2009) ago CMC workers came to lay concrete slabs on our drains and for that purpose they dug up our drains, removed the stone slabs that were covering them and filled the approach road to our houses with all the debris from this work.  Unusable Road in Dodda Bommasandra (pic: author) They promised that the work will be completed in two days. It has been…