SOCIETY

The Kadlekai Parishe (groundnut festival) is a cultural tradition of Bangalore that has survived for over four centuries. One of the city's oldest cultural events, it takes place on the last Monday of the Karthikaa month at the Bull Temple Road in Basavangudi  . This year there were a lot more people than the last year, by eye witness accounts. Amoghavarsha visited the festival and snapped up these moments. Groundnut stalls, heaps of groundnuts, that bring flavor and name to the fair! This is the cool future teller! Different shapes and sizes of robot dolls with some pre-recorded future messages…

Business International passengers drop by 40 per cent at BIA Recession in US and European countries has its impact on BIAL. The number of international passengers in Bangalore has dropped by 40 per cent in the last six months and flight operations have dropped by 1.5 per cent. This has made life miserable for taxi operators as well as ticket booking agents. Many agents are likely to go bankrupt if the situation continues for another six months. Jet Airways has stopped flights between Bangalore and Chennai. Other companies too are likely to follow suit. (Udayavani, Saturday, Nov 22) Crime Boy…

As the terror attacks and their aftermath play out in Mumbai and on the TV networks, the usual questions are making the rounds in Bengaluru. Illustration: Sujay Ramiah. Citizens around the country are going through a mix of reactions. They range from shock to worry to frustration to angst to numbness and to even a desperation to look away and move on.The attacks have again pointed out how easy it is to plan, penetrate, set up, and launch such offensives in Indian cities. That worry isn't about to go away soon. Developments: Prakruthi, a citizens group becoming known for rejuvenating…

The Medico-Pastoral Association and Stage Left Productions present This is their story, a play directed by Vasudev Kanthraj and Nazeef Mohammed on 6th December 2008 at St Francis Xavier's School Auditorium, Promenade Road, Fraser Town, at 6.30 PM. This play is an original script written by the members of Stage Left Productions. It is written as a response to the growing problem of suicide and self-harm in today's world, especially since the statistics are alarming and very disturbing. Bengaluru has earned the dubious distinction of being the suicide capital of the country. This play thus essentially deals with different kinds…

Walking from the Golf Course at Kumara Park, a friend and I were both clueless about which way to head to land at Palace Grounds. That rainy Sunday being the last day of this year’s Bangalore Book Festival (BBF), we promptly asked a traffic policemen for help. The gentleman was kind in his advice: Browsing galore at the fest. Pic: Padmashri R.“Illinda nadkond hodre, kaal murdhogatte”, (Going on foot from here will ensure broken legs) he said.On learning from us that we were going to the Bangalore Book Festival, he snorted sardonically. “Ivatt hogtidiraa?” he exclaimed, incredulous at our nonchalance.…

Some citizens seem obsessed with giving the city bus transport corporation a bad name, or so it would seem. It is utterly disgusting to see people take a deep breath, collect that gutkha concoction in the mouth and then aim it right onto the street, sometimes missing you by just an inch. Okay, it may have been funny to see Leonardo Dicaprio teach Kate Winslet in Titanic the technique to spit the farthest. But it is most definitely not funny to see orange stains on the road. If only Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss could do something about spitting! It…

Business Big demand for cows of Indian breed These cows were the center of attraction at the Krishi Mela conducted in the UAS campus. They belong to the pure Indian breed called 'Devani'. Due to their high resistance to diseases and capacity to work hard, they are in much demand. However the Devani cows are not available in large numbers and the National Diary Development Corporation is now engaging in developing this breed. There was demand for more than 500 Devani cows during the farm fest. (Vijaya Karnataka, Sunday, Nov 16) KSRTC launches courier service KSRTC has hit upon yet…

There could be any number of senior citizens aged eighty plus in our family and friends circle. But how many of us have met one with a totally positive outlook? Most of us feel that old age is a bane and dread getting older. But just meet B Kamala, the erstwhile General Manager of Canara Bank and you will change your view. She is an embodiment of positive energy.As I entered her house on a considerably quiet street in Koramangala, expecting to meet a frail old woman, I was stunned to see Kamala looking the same as she did 20…

Business Iron ore transportation trucks hit by slump The steep fall in demand for iron ore has affected the resale value of trucks used for their transportation. Earlier these trucks had a resale value of Rs.13-15 lakhs. Now they are available for Rs.8-10 lakhs. Trucks owners are now feeling the heat as income from ore transportation has fallen drastically. More than 12,000 trucks were involved in this business during 2004-2008 when iron ore was in huge demand. (Prajavani, Monday, Nov 3) Onion prices to increase further Onion growers have reason to smile and buyers have to reason to cry. The…

The cessation of the heavy monsoon rains seemed to herald a smooth run for the Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival. Bright sunshine greeted us as we walked to Ranga Shankara on 31st October, the first day of the Festival, as we ordered some of Anju's delicious snacks and took a leisurely turn around the foyer, taking in the beautiful decorations, and the priceless photographs from the Company Theatre era, the period between the 19th century to mid 20th century. The opening play Nati Binodini dealt with one of the stars of that era, and her fearless expose of the exploitation women…