GENRE: Voices

Vijayan Menon, 57, has been a resident of Koramangala for 20 years now, and is an active member of the Koramangala Initiative (KI) group. He is a marketing consultant by profession but likes spending most of his time for city’s development issues. His interests vary from golfing, gardening, playing guitar and travelling. He talks about the KI group, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and city governance. Vijayan Menon - member of Koramangala Initiative. Pic: Anisha Nair Excerpts from his interview.Do you think the ‘Save koramangala’ group has saved Koramangala? What were you also saving Koramangala from?It is an ongoing process. Some…

Suresh Heblikar was the man who made path breaking Kannada cinema from the late 70s onwards. But in late 90s, he switched paths and turned environmentalist, determined to make a difference. The man has excelled in both his roles. Though he continues to act occasionally, it is environment that he has chosen to dedicate his time to. Suresh Heblikar. Pic: Sankar C G Born on Feb 22nd 1948 in Dharwad, he moved to Bangalore in 1991 and became a resident of Jayanagar 3rd Block. He is the winner of the State Award for his movie Aaghaatha, National and State Awards…

In 2008, New York based writer Lenore Skenazy let her 9-year-old son take the subway home. For weeks her son had been begging her to be allowed to travel alone and she finally relented by leaving him with a MetroCard, a subway map, some money and loose change in case he had to call her.When Skenazy wrote about the experience in her regular column, there was a flurry of reactions that ranged from calling her a child abuser to appreciating the way she allowed her son his first taste of independence. Overprotective mother. Pic: Wikimedia commons I remember reading Skenazy’s…

As you walk up the 22nd cross of the 17th main in the 3rd sector of HSR Layout, the lush green around the unplastered house, is not something you will miss. This is Hombelaku - the Kanavi residence in HSR layout. 'Hombelaku'- Kanavi residence in HSR Layout. Pic: Anisha Nair A vintage brass bell hangs outside for a doorbell. Bright sunlight seeps through large skylights and a strong aroma of incense sticks greet you. This is HSR Layout’s famous green concept house. Karunaprasad Kanavi, 50, the son of Chennaveera Kanavi - the popular Kannada poet, and Vishakha Kanavi, 44, an…

A friend recently posted pictures of her daughter at the dining table attempting to demolish a cake all by herself. To say that she was covered in chocolate would be an understatement.I was feeding the younger child when I spotted the picture and laughed out loud. In a minute the slightly harried atmosphere around me - baby refusing to eat, older child whining about what was on his plate, turned lighter. A kid eating all by itself. Pic: Reshmi Chakraborty Sometimes in Mommyland, it does you a whole lot of good to laugh. It eases the situation when it seems…

Dear Sri Ananth Kumarji Greetings You have been pursuing to name BIAL as Kempe Gowda International Airport for his contribution to the city, which is a good move. It is unfortunate that the central government is delaying.We are all aware of contribution of Sir M Visvesvaraya's to the development of industry and infrastructure in Bangalore. He was responsible for designing Jayanagar and many other localities which are very planned by his vision and innovation.Since the Bangalore Metro was conceived during Atalji's government under your leadership as Union Urban Development Minister, as voters of Bangalore South Parliamentary constituency we request you…

My 12-year-old daughter, off late, has stopped listening to me and also wants to copy whatever her friends do. She was a good student last year, but now her scores in some subjects are falling. I am unable to understand, what has happened to her?This is a common scenario in any household which has an adolescent. Adolescence is a period of tumultuous change from childhood to adulthood, starting at 10 years of age till 18 years. Numerous changes are occurring at this time --- physical,  sexual, emotional  and psychological. Your daughter is in her early adolescence, where the rapid growth…

The last few decades have witnessed an exponential rise in the number of cell phone users. Remember the old days when getting a single landline number used to be an achievement? Today, a large number of people are carrying more than one mobile in their pockets. There has been occasional outcry about the harmful effect of radiation that may be associated with use of cellphones. Are mobile phones harmful? Pic: Wikimedia commons It is in this context, it would be helpful to understand the radiation effect from a mobile and its implication on health issues. Firstly, the radiation that is…

An engineer by profession, he joined Raman Research Institute as a lab assistant in 1984 while pursuing his higher studies, moving on to become a scientist at the same institute. He later ventured out on his own, setting up the Indian branch of Vxtel, a technology firm, later acquired by Intel. He has worked at Intel as director of the connectivity division, focussing on research and innovation. He has got many accolades.  Meet Dr P S Ramkumar, a resident of Bannerghatta Road. DR P S Ramkumar at his residence. Pic: Abhishek Angad Finding healthcare, one of the most poorly managed…

Three months ago, 56 year-old, Dr Ravi Ralph was made the Chief Executive officer(CEO) of the Lake Development Authority. He is also the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. He completed his education in Varanasi and then was posted as Conservator of Forests in various parts of Karnataka. He is a resident of HSR Layout. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Executive Officer, Lake Development Authority - Dr Ravi Ralph. Pic: Anisha Nair What do you think is the key point in maintaining lakes? In every meeting we see active citizens partnership. Synergy is the word. The government…