Deepa's Jottings

*Bangalore Bus Prayaanikara Vedike*The 50paise Campaign!!*Rs. 5 for 10 km!**Rs. 15 for 11-20 km!**Rs. 25 for anything above 20 km!*Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus services, the transport of Bangalore's 'common man', have become increasingly unaffordable over the years. Over the last year and a half, the bus fares have gone up by a steep 50%, increasing the economic hardship for Bangaloreans. If a garment worker or a pourakarmika, who earns Rs. 5000 a month, buys a monthly pass for Rs. 725 (Rs. 925 for red board buses), she shells out 15-20% of her income just for commuting, which increase…

On the 2nd February, 2014, some of the residents of Adarsh Palm Retreat, a residential complex near the Devara Beesana Halli Lake (D B Halli Lake, a small lake located in the Bellandur Ward in south-east Bangalore) , celebrated World Wetlands Day at the lake, with a variety of events. A part of the gathering at D B Halli Lake, 020214     The residents had noticed the deterioration of the lake some months previously. Four cleanup drives were  organized, in September and October, 2013.  By May 2013 a core group of seven residents of Adarsh Palm Retreat (Devarajan,Chandramouli, Jenny,…

It's quite unusual to go to review a play that's been running for some time, but I did just that on the 23rd of January, as I went to watch "The Incredible Mullah Nasruddin" at Ranga Shankara. This was their 13th show. The play is a production by the "AHA!" children's theatre wing of Ranga Shankara. The main protaganist is Mullah Nasruddin, who, in this version, comes from Arabia to India to garner wisdom, and undergoes various experiences, depicted in 21 short vignettes. The play had several features unusual in children's theatre. For one, there was a blue turban that…

Vinay Sreenivasa posts in Hasiru Usiru group: Tree Felling in Kanataka is governed by the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976. Section 8 (1) of the act states: With effect on and from the appointed day, notwithstanding any custom, usage, contract or law for the time being in force,  no person shall fell any tree or cause any tree to be felled in any land, whether in his  ownership or occupancy or otherwise, except with the previous permission of the  Tree Officer Thus, whether the tree is in private land or government land, the permission of the Tree Officer is essential before a tree…

A butterfly hunter in Lalbagh, 20th December 2013   Vinyasa U writes:"Suhas S Sapthagiri has noticed a person (a foreigner by the looks of him)  killing butterflies in Lalbagh, Bangalore, on 20th December 2013.Whatever  the reason  may be (perhaps he wants to collect butterflies)... killing butterflies can not be accepted; India is no longer`Butterfly collectors' paradise' as almost all Indian butterflies are under threat, and some are critically endangered."

Reading of Children's Fantasy Novel   Venue: Atta Galata Time: 4.30 pm   The Book: Building on influences from Asia, Africa and the ancient language of Sanskrit, Janaki Murali takes on readers on a phantasmagorical journey. Dive deep into the bowels of a volcano in the Bay of Bengal and meet the fire-breathing Mrigas, shape-shifting Bahulas, four-headed Gufiyas and the special unugly Gulu. Watch them as they employ insects of espionage and wield weapons of fantasy.See a whole new world through the eyes of three earthlings who learn to stand united after losing a parent, and are pulled into a chain reaction that…

Gubbi Labs as Part of Path Of Mahanadhi River Exploration Initiative Brings in the Cycle Exploration Tour to Kaveri River       Visit the Battle Field of Anglo Mysore WarsThe British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Sri Rangapatna and storming the citadel killing Tippu Sultan in Action. We will explore history and visit the places of all important historical places – Sri Ranganatha Temple , Jumma Masjid and the Daria Daulat Gardens, Captain Baey’s Dungeon.   Cycle to Visit the Birds of Ranganathittu Cycle Ride will enable you to see the avian life…

Recently, I had an occasion to travel on a couple of very long journeys (Bangalore to Guwahati and back, and Bangalore to Ahmedabad and back). The Indian Railways had just raised the price of all food and beverages sold on the trains. I'll take one example, where I found that vendors are resorting to unethical practices, and cheating passengers of their money. We were told that tea and coffee were now to cost Rs.10, and though we grumbled, there is really no alternative to the vendors on the train, and we paid up. We were surprised, the next day, to…

Anvitha S writes: The sightings of fruit eating bats hanging dead on power lines have become increasingly common nowadays. These bats are victims of the poor electric wiring system of our country. In most cases they get caught in the power lines while flying to a tree that has either grown through a power line or is very close to it.   An electrocuted bat hangs from the electric wires. Pic: Anvitha S. I happened to see one such electrocuted bat in August. There was a fruiting fig tree very close to a power line in Hampinagar. It used to…

Did you know that so many amenities exist in the Bangalore City Railway Station? Here is the list of amenities provided at the City Railway Station. Such things as, "Comesum is a 24hr multi cuisine food plaza located near the entrance to the foot over bridge. Passengers can order food from here to be delivered to their respective coaches by calling 56904478."   and "RETIRING ROOMS AND DORMITORIES - These are located on the first and second floors of the station building, above platform 1.There are 27 rooms in all, including 8 AC rooms, 18 Non-AC rooms and 1 room…