Society

This year’s Mango crop was a latecomer and much smaller compared to 2011’s bumper produce. While last year produced 11 metric tonnes, this year looks good for just three. “Mango is known for alternate bearing. One year you get a good crop and the succeeding year you get a poor crop.” says Dr G K Mukund, Professor of Horticulture at the University of Agricultural Sciences. Badami: Karnataka’s leading Mango variety. Pic Salonie Rego This year however, saw profuse flowering throughout Karnataka, which was completely unexpected. But factors like the prolonged drought and high temperature still reduced the quantity. Prices are…

Good morning and welcome to the Mummy Pick Up & Drop Off service. I'm the chief operating officer cum chief pick up girl here. The job description fits me to the tee as I am always picking up things -- clothes from the laundry, toys from the floor, soap from the bathroom basin, child from swimming class, bus stop, playdate, skating class and so on. Mother and kid on bike. file pic: Raghavan Kandala We welcome all sorts of applicants as long as they have spawned at least one offspring, possess a reasonable ability to be on their toes for…

With the gathering of dancers, gurus and dance enthusiasts from across India, World Dance Day at Bengaluru witnessed a gorgeous riot of dance forms and music. The event was held at Alliance Francaise, Vasanthnagar on 29th April. Yakshagana at the Inauguration. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthBharathanatyam. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthMen are from Mars performance. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthDance enthusiasts unite. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthThe Mohan Khokar Dance Collection- A mini exhibition. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthHari, Chetana, and their disciples (Kathak). Pic: Maitreyi AnanthArch Ensemble (Modern). Pic: Maitreyi AnanthKallaripayattu. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthBharatanatyam. Pic: Maitreyi Ananth‹ › $(document).ready(function(){ $('.carousel .carousel-inner .item').first().attr('class', 'active item');}); The man behind the event…

With every day of this summer getting hotter, our motivation to get out, take a walk or sweat it out is declining. Be it Football, tennis, cricket or netball, it’s just getting too hot to play. The summer vacations have started and now everyone is looking for ways to excercise, energise and be entertained. And what better way to do that than spending a day at an indoor sports arena close to where you live? Indoor Games. Pic Courtesy: XLR8 Accelerate and runSituated on the Hennur - Begalur Main Road lies your first choice- the XLR8 Indoor Sports Arena. Here's…

Balaji Kutty, 39, a software engineer by profession, has decided to give something back to the society by volunteerting. He volunteers with Association for India's Development (AID), which deals with various issues like Education, Agriculture and Health for almost 10 years now. He believes that his efforts to make a difference in the lives of a few children gives him a kick of inspiration and keeps him going. Balaji Kutty - AID volunteer. Pic: Anisha Nair What do you do as an AID volunteer?I joined AID in 2002 as a part of ‘Joy of Learning' activity. It involves making science…

It's time for summer vacations. Outings and travel are at its peak. People prefer coloured and textured bags making the military fatigue suitcase covers a passe. No more heavy luggages either. With more people opting to travel by air, baggage weight limits have also become a factor for the change in trend.April - July seems to the peak time for luggage dealers. Summer vacations is when the people flock to buy suitcases and bags.People prefer suitcases made of polycarbonate plastic, as they are lightweight, durable and trendy. These bags come with a choice of two and four wheels. They are…

The Avengers is a bold and unique concept by Marvel, bringing together classic comic superheroes in one big-budget, ambitious project. One of the most anticipated movies the year, and the first superhero movie too, the movie incorporates plenty of action, witty dialogue and destruction. But it could have done better.It has a pretty straightforward storyline - decidedly wooden Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) of S.H.I.E.L.D decides to assemble the earth's mightiest heroes in order to save the world from an otherworldly attack, led by the Norse god Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who, using a piece of alien tech called the Tesseract,…

The 18-year-old landmark restaurant Udupi Garden on 2nd cross, 16th main, BTM II stage,  has been demolished for renovation. People who did not know about the renovation work were surprised and wondered if their favourite restaurant is closing down. Since the restaurant had water leakage issues during rains, it is being renovated on customers' request. Rs 2.5 crores is cost of the complete renovation. The renewed restaurant will include a party hall on the upper floor, an AC hall and seating arrangements on the ground floor. Facilities like lunch delivery service will also be included. Udupi garden under renovation. Pic:…

Anil Kumar, 63 is an RTI activist. A former employee of Indian Telephone Industries in the marketing department, Kumar, today cracks open the government red tape for a better society.Kumar moved to Ejipura in 1994 when it had no roads, no drains and no proper electricity. He filed RTIs to find the reasons behind these pending works. The RTIs of this nature often result in work being completed, because officials were wary of explaining the reasons behind the delay. Anil Kumar, the RTI activist. Pic: Abhishek Angad Kumar believes that the thrust on Sec 4(1)(b) of the act i.e voluntary…

Sheikh Shariff is seven, Rukhsana is 10 and Sameera is all of 12. The siblings show up every morning outside Dhanwantri Park in JP Nagar, 2nd Phase to sell fresh vegetables. This is their summer job.They live in an asbestos roof house nearby. Their father Mehboob Basha, earns a meagre Rs 4000 a month, working as a gardener. Their mother Fatima Begum who also works as gardener in the nearby senior citizen's park earns Rs 3000 a month. School fees for all three children is a burden on the family. The children help out by selling vegetables during their summer…