GENRE: Voices

BMTC fares went up a month ago, and hikes in petrol/diesel prices were cited as the reason. The story is more complicated than that. The real reasons are the three C-s -- ‘Collection' , Corruption among staff, and Complete apathy towards commuters' convenience or rights. 364E is a route that plies from Boopasandra in north Bangalore to south Bangalore (beyond Jayanagar) so it is very convenient for people like me who travel from north to south regularly. If I get 364 E, I can go directly to Jayanagar, otherwise I have to take two buses, one to Majestic or Shivajinagar…

We, Perfect 32 - Dental Care and Implant Centre plan to select one centre and provide our services, free of charge every month. This way we give something back to the society. as part of this, for August, we chose Ejipura's Gerizem Rehabilitation Centre for mentally challenged children. It was truly an enriching experience. In today's materialistic world, where we are all chasing one worldly possession after another, we receive new perspective when we meet these mentally challenged kids who are so affectionate, grateful and satisfied with what little they have and never hesitate to offer a smile. So much…

Two major government functionaries will leave office shortly. One is Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. The second is Justice Santosh Hegde of the Lokayukta. BSY is being forced out by the BJP top brass to contain political fallout of Karnataka's massive mining scam in the ongoing BJP-Cong tug of war on who is more corrupt. A defiant BSY is not going to be happy. (Hopefully the Reddy brothers will be asked to quit, too.) No more bouquets. File Pic: BSY calls BJP's L K Advani in New Delhi in September 2010. Press department, GOK. But when Santosh Hegde demits…

Non-compliance is being captured live in Bangalore by netizens logging on the traffic police's facebook pages. Grab from BTP's Facebook page, pics posted by citizens.   Another grab from BTP's facebook page.   And another...   For more photos posted by citizens on Bangalore Traffic Police's Facebook page, go here ⊕

The Metro is becoming a reality. The first leg is getting ready. The trial run has begun. The stations are getting ready. The foot over bridge is nearing completion at many stations. The stations have been named sensibly. The glass facade is being errected at many stations. The appearance is one of class and style that every Bangalorean can feel proud of whether or not he belongs to Karnataka.Now comes the risk. Political groups and anti social elements who are used to damaging public property have another beautiful target. It is very essential that apart from the government and civic…

Resident Welfare Associations of Malleshwaram, college students, members of Malleshwaram Swabhimana, activists and volunteers from Green Peace and Hasiru Usiru, gathered on Sankey Road yesterday to protest road widening and cutting of trees. The Green Peace activists arrived early evening and climbed onto the surviving tree. This tree was saved from cutting when the stay order came on July 1. They tied banners saying ‘ No Trees No Future !'on it. Activists are camping on the rain tree till the Court decides its fate. Pic: Shailaja Varma The two activists Brikesh Singh and Shiva who climbed the rain tree will…

This is an analysis based on measurable data that shows running buses on time will reduce traffic on roads to 1/3rd its current value. Next, a strategy is outlined to get buses running on time -we can take a hint from the metro: the metro will run on time since it has its own track, so we can do the same for buses: a dedicated lane for buses or specific roads earmarked only for buses. Additionally, the cost of having traffic wardens (who will maintain traffic discipline) for every kilometre of road works out roughly to be Rs 5 crore…

71 academicians from Bengaluru submitted a public statement to BBMP on Thursday, slamming the road widening plans. The statement was addressed to S Suresh Kumar, Minister for Urban Development, Mayor Sharadamma, Deputy Mayor, S Harish, A Ravindra, Advisor to the CM on Urban Affairs, K Jairaj, Additional Chief Secretary, K M Shivakumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department (UDD), S K Lohia, Director, Urban Transport and BBMP Commissioner Sidddaiah.In the statement the researchers and academicians from IISc, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), IIMB and astrophysicists from Raman Research Institute, requested BBMP to look at the…

At our Resident’s Welfare Association (RWA) in LB Sastry Nagar, we started working on anti-plastic cause right from Apr 2006. Our association Uthkarsh had conducted a door to door campaign convincing people about hazards of plastics. Dry waste being sorted and stored in Sarovar Apartment. Pic: Anamika Gupta While talking to people, we found out that most people take plastic bags to throw away garbage, since the dustbins get dirty because of wet waste.  It was, therefore, a natural progression to waste management. We began to think about how to avoid plastic bags being used as garbage bin liners. If…

One who always serves and respects elderly is blessed with four things : Long Life, Wisdom, Fame and Power" Manusmriti Chapter 2:121 The advances in healthcare means that individuals live longer. The rising percentage of elderly population, however has its own challenges. Elderly population is projected to rise from 8% to 25% by 2025. Amongst those older than 60 years, 10% are bedridden and 10% are hospitalised at any given time. Where as among those above 70, more than 50% suffer from one or more chronic conditions. (Source: Ingle & Nath , Iindian Journal of Community Medicine, Oct 2008) 60th…