Society

Is it snowing in Bangalore this winter? No, but something just snowballed into a major event!What started as a simple outing that a few friends wanted to do together has now got all the makings of a major sports fixture. Let's see how the Tour Of Nilgiris (TFN) event that some Bangalore cyclists have put together, grew from small to large..... Pic: Aravind Teki of Bangalore Bikers' ClubThe whole idea was triggered in March of this year, when Ravi Ranjan Kumar, a software engineer, thought of organising a holiday ride for some friends. He posted the idea on Bikezone, one…

The December Music Season is considered to be a prestigious event much like its counterpart in the north, the "Saptak Music Festival'. A setting which boasts of the best of the performers to the best of the rasikas leaves no stone unturned to create the best of the ambience. The annual event held at the carnatic music capital of India, Chennai, draws huge crowds from the world over. Chennai, often considered as the elder cousin of Bangalore, brings in its elements to make a formidable pair with its younger tech city to entertain millions in a variety of spheres. The…

Government Minister and bureaucrat unaware of each others' names. Minister for Animal Husbandry Revu Nayaka Belamagi is known for his innocence. He is uneducated but respected by people. Speaking at the inauguration of a national seminar on animal husbandry, the minister said that he could speak neither English or Hindi. He was unaware of the correct name of his own department's Principal Secretary Shamim Banu. The latter too just addressed him as 'Honourable Minister' in her speech. This strange ignorance was a matter of discussion in the seminar. (Vijaya Karnataka, Monday, Dec 15) ATS chief on long leave In this…

If you have ever been on the Victorian Trail on MG Road or sent your child as part of a school trip on the Bangalore walks Jr, you will know Roopa Pai. Roopa and Arun Pai conceptualised and executed ‘Bangalore Walks', the heritage-based city walks that introduces both Bangaloreans and tourists to the history and culture of Bangalore. Roopa Pai.Roopa is a third generation Bangalorean, an integral part of the walks and also a veteran writer. She has written several articles for magazines as varied as Business Today to Travel Trends. She has been awarded by Children Book Trust for…

The Ambedkar Community Computer Centre is situated in a slum area in the New Guruppanapalya, off Bannerghatta road, Bengaluru. In this IT city of multinationals, it is only one of the many slums in the interiors of Bangalore that is not well known outside. On the 13th December, the slum had a unique visitor who is well known in every part of the world as the founder of the Free Software Foundation. Richard M Stallman's visit turned the attention of IT professionals and media persons to the otherwise not-so-well-known slum. The Ambedkar team with Stallman. Pic: Aravind.Ambedkar Community Computing Center…

Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony? - Leonardo daVinci.Amidst the aftermath of the recent terror attack on Mumbai and the relentless media blitz that followed, a small group in Bangalore was truly privileged to be part of three serene, music-enriched evenings at a Koramangala home in the first week of December.Aditi Kaikini Upadhya. Pic source: www.aditiupadhya.com.Aditi Kaikini Upadhya, daughter of renowned Hindustani vocalist Pandit Dinkar Kaikini and an accomplished musician in her own right, held her audience spellbound with a three day workshop on Hindustani classical music. The workshop was interactive and lively from the start.…

INTACH, an NGO that is involved in the conservation of our heritage in all forms, has been conducting several heritage walks, named Parichay (Introduction), around several areas of Bangalore. On 30th November, they conducted a walk in the Russell Market area.The Russell Market area is a bustling hub of commercial activity today, and was no less so on Sunday morning. The beginning of the walk was at Adams Square, for which Mohammed Sheriff, a tomato merchant, had a comment. "It's actually Richards Square," he said, pointing to a plaque behind him. "It's called Adams Square because of the famous Adams…

Traffic flows smoothly out here. Pics : Sharath Bhat Meet Srinivasalu Naidu - a self-appointed traffic regulator who stations himself at a narrow by-lane off Millers Road in Benson Town - a little before the railway overbridge near Coles Park. If you come in from the Cantonment Station and go past Nandidurga Road, you'll find this narrow by-lane that takes you to Benson Road or Pottery Road. With two-way traffic, this stretch can get tricky - and that's where Srinivasulu comes in. He regulates a steady stream of cars and bikes, with a practiced hand and business-like authority. Without someone…

Government to strengthen ATC The ATC (Anti Terrorism Cell) squad is slated to get a new face with government deciding to strengthen this cell in the wake of increasing terrorist activities. Government approved a proposal to appoint 750 specialised personnel to the squad. A number of initiatives are taken to make working with ATC more attractive for the police, which they have so far been looked upon as as a punishment rather than prestigious. (Prajavani, Friday, Dec 5)Vidhana Soudha in danger? The state government does not seem to be bothered by terrorist activities in the various parts of country. Its…

I saw Ramayana with the attention that can only come from a seriously escapist 8-year old. This was in 1989. Then came 1992, and with so much mention again about Ayodhya, I felt Ramayana was being replayed somewhere. And why not – everyone must have been as enthralled with Hanuman carrying the mountain for Lord Ram – as I was. Only this time, it didn’t come with that happy feeling. After a few years I understood all that unfolded then was a drama of a different kind. And the Hanumans’ in it were the mindless destructive monkeys who called themselves…