PEOPLE

The world is a small one, in today's age of jet travel, but not many of us can claim to have visited the Poles. Of the two polar regions, Antarctica (the south Pole) still remains largely inaccessible to the whole of mankind. So when the first woman from Bangalore, Priya Venkatesh, visited Antarctica, her trip made for an interesting conversation. Priya, 36, lives in Jayanagar and works for a training company. She is a keen amateur naturalist, and an excellent photographer. Priya Venkatesh in Antartica. Pic courtesy: Priya Venkatesh Why Antarctica?"In school, I used to see the little strip of…

 I decided to visit my friends Ganu and Hema, and their daughter, Janani, who's recently come home for good, after having done her Masters' degree at Pittsburgh. They always put up a lovely display for Navarathri:A "kolu" or "golu" is supposed to be a representation of the universe, so anything you wish to can be put in....human beings, animals, gods, flowers....Here's an idol which is half Ganesha, half Hanuman, that I've never seen before:These dolls/figures are often sold in "sets". Here's a beautiful set of Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, on the shores near Chennai:There is also a lovely seascape painting to…

Former football player for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), C K Ranganatha, aged 61, passed away on Monday, 26th September at Vega Hospital in Malleshwaram where he was being treated. He is survived by a wife and two sons. He was cremated atHarishchandraghat at Srirampura the next day. Players from the football fraternity and employees of BHEL paid their respects. Ranganatha, who retired from BHEL earlier in February this year, was a multi-talented sportsman representing BHEL in football, ball badminton and cricket tournaments.  He was instrumental in taking BHEL from ‘B’ Division to ‘A’ Division in 1976. He played for…

For two years now, Nagaraj Ananth, 43, a scientist at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has being going to schools and colleges on Saturdays and introducing children to the fascinating world of satellites and space travel. With the aid of videos, he explains the functions and different kinds of satellites, famous astronauts of the world and concepts related to space travel. A resident of JP Nagar, Ananth started a science club called ‘Galileo Science Club’. Nagaraj Ananth during a session at Christ School, off Bannerghatta Road. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi. Ananth, a diploma holder in electronics and communication and a scientist…

 A vegetable seller spreads out his juicy red tomatoes for sale at Malleshwaram. The Market is a wonderful microcosm of salesman, customers and suppliers from all over India. A melting pot.Pic by Ravi Kaushik.⊕

Do you know how much of the pollution in the world is caused by cars? Some studies put that at 40%. As a result, some across the globe have chosen to observe 22nd September as World Car Free Day. ESAF, a Bangalore based not-for-profit organization that is campaigning to make the city a child friendly one, decided to do its bit to create awareness on the advantage of not using cars. On the 21st, the NGO has planned to distribute handbills along with 2 English and 1 Kannada newspapers to persuade car users to consider taking public transport. "Some friends…

  As you turn in at Anand Rao Circle, the name of a camera shop, that's frequented by most of the photography community in Bangalore, comes into view: Jayesh Patel, the proprietor, had a shop in Chickpet, and opened this new outlet in Anand Rao Circle a while ago. Here's the shop facade at Brigade Plaza:Inside, especially on Saturdays, it's a scene of hectic activity, as photographic equipment is bought, and sold, in large quantities.Jayesh is very knowledgeable about cameras, and I have found his word to be his bond. He has always offered cameras and associated equipment at very competitive prices.…

Have you or someone you know filed an RTI application in public interest or are eager to do so? Or do you want to learn about applying the RTI Act for the greater common good? If yes, you could approach the Karnataka RTI Federation, a recently formed network of seasoned and emerging RTI users from all over the state. "It is a forum for RTI users from Karnataka who want to get organized and strengthen their association", said Vikram Simha, an experienced RTI user and campaigner based in Bangalore. He is one of the persons who conceptualized the Karnataka RTI…

It was 10 am on Sunday August 28th at Freedom Park when nine people who had remained on indefinite fast since drank coconut water. They ended their fast along with Anna Hazare in New Delhi. N Ravi, 28, one of them says, "I am happy as the struggle of 12 days has paid off. The government has listened to us. I will continue to be there at Freedom Park till the issue has resolved." Talking about his experience, Ravi says, "It has been a difficult time as we went through a lot physically and emotionally. However, the joy of succeeding…

On the roads in Bangalore, you just never know what you are going to see, and when. Yesterday, I was going into Arikere Layout with my friend Jayashree, on her two-wheeler...and....It riveted both of us, and of course, I whipped out my camera immediately!No, it's not a buffalo driving a two-wheeler, just a bean bag that is being transported in an unusual style! ⊕