JP Nagar

Vetiver is a perennial grass (Binomial name Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly called Khus) that has a very strong root system which grows deep and binds the soil wonderfully, preventing soil erosion. The island at Puttenahalli Lake already has some mature clumps of vetiver that were planted way back in 2010. Vetiver clumps on the island (May 2011)With the rains finally making an appearance, we've stepped up our gardening effort. This morning there were many gardening volunteers at the lake, from different complexes around the lake and even Jeanne all the way from Richmond Town and Pankaj from Whitefield. The volunteers planted vetiver along the one of the boundary…

On Id-ul-Adha, the Moon, too, seems to have sacrificed some of Herself:The festival is also called Bakrid, and this is not because the Bakri (Goat) is beingvenerated, it's because it is going to be sacrificed...I was musing on how the concept of sacrificing something to appease a Higher Power came about... this is what the Wiki had to say.I wonder if the gentle, repressed people of today's urban societies realize that the pumpkins that they smash into the roads after smearing them with vermilion....are a symbol of blood sacrifice? I listened to one elderly gentleman ("I am proud to be…

The residents of Bank of Baroda Colony in JP Nagar VII Phase can now sleep peacefully, the three stone cutting units have finally shut down.  I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported this cause and a special thanks to Meera (Co-founder Citizen Matters) and Abhishek (journalist from Citizen Matters) for their continued and invaluable support in this cause - Rahul Rai The three units had been functioning from 1988. After continuous follow ups with KSPCB officials, for over a year, the residents of Brigade Palm Springs, an apartment complex behind stone cutting units have won the battle.…

Anand Kumar, a volunteer, Garden City Farmers Trust (GCFT) and a software engineer, was pleasantly surprised at the turnout at Sunday’s gardening mela - Oota from your Thota. He said, “The Facebook page (Organic Terrace Gardening or OTG) has around 2000 subscribers so I was expecting a smaller crowd. But it turns out that a lot of people are very curious and enthusiastic about farming in their backyard.” He was also surprised by the thoughtful questions that were asked about organic farming. “People are taking this very seriously now,” he added.Oota from your Thota on Kitchen Gardeners' day was held…

Havelock, in JP Nagar 5th Phase, though multicuisine, largely serves Mangalorean and North Indian food. This month-old restaurant has all the usual fare. The menu is extensive especially for non-vegetarians. The recommended dish for non-vegetarian food lovers would be Prawn Gassi (Mangalorean Prawn Curry) served with plain steamed rice or neer dosa. The curries also taste good when served with neer dosa. Manglorean Prawn curry with roti and rice. Pic: Abhishek Angad The typical Mangalorean food usually comprises seafood and poultry. It is prepared with a coconut base. It’s high on spices but is not very oily. The curry has…

 Please click here    to get the details of the WWF India Wildlife quiz online, from Oct 1 to 7, for children of Class 6, 7 and 8. For the offline quiz, which will be held in Bangalore as well as other cities,  click here for details.  ⊕

On August 10th, 2012, an elderly couple’s decomposed bodies were found in JP Nagar 1st phase, who were murdered three days earlier. July 4th, 60-year-old Lakshmidevamma’s head was bludgeoned to death at her house on 5th Cross, Prakashnagar. Continuing this there have been several other cases of abuse, assault or murder in city against elderly people. Sonia Narang, DCP, Bangalore -South. Pic courtesy: DCP Office IPS officer Sonia Narang, Deputy Commissioner of Police(South)-Bangalore, is known for her tough stance against crime spoke to Citizen Matters  about ways to keep elderly safe at home. Excerpts:Can you suggest some basic steps for…

At the Independence Day celebrations at Brigade Millennium on 15th August, PNLIT Young Rangers were given a few minutes to talk to the gathering of 200-odd residents, about lakes and PNLIT. PNLIT was also given a stall where the youngsters promoted PNLIT's T-shirts, cloth bags and nature walks. Sincere thanks to the Brigade Millennium Residents Federation (BMRF) for the opportunity.PNLIT Trustee Nupur Jain, who has been guiding the Young Rangers said, "the children gave good speeches and very excitedly sold the T-shirts, bags and a nature walk".Registration for the Nature Walk is open. Details below. Date - 20th August 2012 (Monday…

Instead of talking about it, I'll let these two photographs that I took (these were not on any small roads, but the main highway to the airport) do the speaking: Imagine having a child, without a helmet, asleep on a two-wheeler, and calmly carrying on!And this one:Imagine the plight of the child for whom that perambulator is meant, if this is the attitude that is being shown towards safety...  I'm sure these are educated people. The motto seems to be, "That accident will not happen to US, we can do as we please."  I'm frankly amazed that there are not more…

There they go again!!! – UNITED CIVIC CLUB OF ST. MARKS PUBLIC SCHOOL – this is the new batch of Civic Club Members who have started their activities for the current academic year, 2012-13, as a part of CMCA – Childrens’ Movement for Civic Awareness. United Civic Club student pulling out pamphlet nailed to a tree. Pic courtesy: Ravikala Baliga. Understanding at a very young age that we need to save our trees and respect them individually – the children noticed that the trees are always treated like ‘advertising space!’  It is important for each human being to acknowledge that…