GENRE: Voices

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…

When I first heard about the magical properties of Aloe Vera, I was unprepared for the absolute bitter taste of the product which wouldn’t leave my mouth for at least 15 mins! I went ahead and swallowed it anyway, telling myself it is medicinal and good for so many of my medical problems. I am so glad I stuck with it. Today after one year of taking 50 ml of Aloe Vera on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, I can vouch for it. My aches and pains are reduced considerably, my skin is glowing and my hair…

Spirituality tells us of our life being a journey of soul through the sea of time, and our body being a mere vehicle which drives us through. In case of our worldly possession of a vehicle like a car, we ensure regular maintenance, regular servicing. Do we care similarly for our body? Diabetes is fast emerging as an epidemic. Bangalore incidentally, has second highest number of people afflicted with diabetes, according to a recent Indian studies. Hyderabad leads the list. Every 10 seconds, a person dies of diabetes related illness. Interestingly, 50% of diabetics are unaware of their condition. Also,…

While BMTC has started some good initiatives like introducing new routes and Bus Day, there was a huge blow to the corporation - rise in diesel rates by Rs 3 per litre. Immediately BMTC announced a bus fare increase - was this hike seriously necessary? Bus tickets. File pic. The diesel fares rose by Rs 3. An average BMTC bus gives about 4 km/litre and some new ones go up to  5 km/litre. That means an average increase of about 75 paise per kilometre. The number of passengers travelling in a bus averages 40-45, meaning there is absolutely just less…