Z-Blogs

Dad-at-work: Murugan with daughter Sanjana There's a fruitseller who sets up his cart on the road in front of my apartment building. Murugan, for that is his name, is always busy. If he is not working, he is a hands-on dad to his two children--Santosh and Sanjana. Murugan, you see, does with ease, something that most of us struggle to do--manage work and his children. And he performs his childcare duties, alongside work. When his wife Lakshmi goes for her 10 am to 2 pm shift as a domestic help at a nearby house, she leaves their little girl with…

This newsletter is shared by the citizen group, Bellandur Forum (bellandur-forum@googlegroups.com)Trinity Acres and Woods, a 280-unit residential complex started segregation in September 2013. Prior to that, most of their waste (85%) was mixed and little dry waste was being recovered. Within 4 months of starting segregation, the amount of reject waste has dropped below 20% of the total waste volume. Waste classification by weight and Waste pick up expenses per month (in Rs). Courtesy: Rajaram Raghunathan Earlier, the RWA paid nearly Rs 100 a month per unit for garbage pick up. Now with segregation in place, their costs are down…

It is 5.30 am and my neighbour has started cleaning a large amount of metal dishes very loudly. I have been awake since about 3.30 when a pack of dogs started howling on the street and this, mingled with the chipmunks who are becoming decreasingly cute by the second, is bordering on pandemonium. As the minutes roll on, more instruments join this cacophonous orchestra. The stray dogs have united with the domestic dogs to try and mimic a pride of angry lions. A couple next door seem to be consummating their relationship very loudly, or singing whilst being strangled. I…

As India celebrates its 65th Republic Day today, here are some songs that invoke the spirit of patriotism in different languages. The song Ae mere watan ke logon in film Haqeeqat described one's deep love for the motherland. The crystal clear sweet voice of Lata Mangeshkar left a strong impression in the hearts of millions of people.      Here is a Kannada patriotic song presented by H.S.Venkatesh Murthy and Ricky Kej. The visuals highlight the natural beauty of the land and its rich cultural heritage.       When MS Subbalakshmi sang the popular Bengali patriotic song of Dwijendralal…

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…

It’s been a while since my last post. I have been travelling with a friend. My friend owns a grooming salon for dogs and she was participating in a contest. I went with her for moral support. What’s life without friends, right? The same holds true for dogs as well, as Tigger’s story will demonstrate. In November last year, I got involved with an animal welfare organization called Precious Paws Foundation (PPF). As part of my involvement I fostered a puppy called Rackles. Rackles stayed with us for a few weeks and soon found a home. Rackles became Mishka in…

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."

Never take your child's safety for granted. You never know what can happen. Scene 1: A city school A security guard is playfully jostling with a cherubic little pre-schooler. The child is waiting beside the guard because his 'auto uncle' is late to pick him up. In the course of play, the guard kisses the little boy, tickles him, hugs him. The boy squeals with laughter. Scene 2: A dance class It's a childrens' dance class. Parents/guardians come and drop off their wards at the door. The adults do not bother to go in or check if the dance teacher…

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…