Carbon print biggest in east of City

The eastern part of the city consumes the most amount of electricity and hence stands first among the higher carbon emission areas of Bengaluru. An ongoing study by the Wetland and Energy Research Group of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on ‘Carbon Footprint of Greater Bengaluru’ shows that per capita electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emission is higher in K R Puram and Whitefield areas. While Bengaluru East emitted more carbon per se, the city’s central areas showed high carbon emissions from vehicles.

The higher carbon footprint is due to lack of planned development in the city, the study says. “The interest in ‘carbon footprinting’ is due to the growing public awareness of global warming and the consequent impending changes in the climate. Urban centres are the major CO2 emitting centres. As per recent estimates, the urban areas contributed 67% and 71%, respectively, to the global primary energy demand and energy-related CO2 emissions for the year 2006. This share has been forecast to further increase to 73% by 2015,” explained Dr T.V. Ramachandra, who heads the research team.

According to the research, the major drivers of the enhanced carbon footprint of Bengaluru are random concretisation and change in building structures, besides improper handling of sewage and solid waste. “The city has a tropical climate and in recent times has seen high-rise buildings with glass facades. This kind of architecture tends to conserve the heat (suitable for colder, temperate climate). But in hot climates it increases the use of air conditioners and fans and thus electricity consumption shoots up. This is evident from higher levels of electricity consumption — and consequent carbon emissions — in some of the wards in the city where glass buildings are common,” Dr Ramachandra said.

The research team points out that the existing solid waste treatment system in the city is not very effective, which is another contributor to greenhouse gases. The total MSW generated in Bengaluru city has increased from 650 tonnes/day in (1988) to 1,450 tonnes/day (2000) and today it is 3,500 tonnes/day. From 1988 to 2000 there is reasonable change in waste composition: fermentables, paper and plastic has increased by 7%, 3% and 0.2%, respectively.

The researchers also said that the government needs to work on the waste and waste water management in the city so that the emission levels can be reduced. “The shortfall or lack of sewage treatment facilities has contaminated the majority of surface and ground water. These aquatic resources are now unfit for current as well as for future use and consequently pose critical health problems,” said a research team member.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/carbon-print-biggest-east-city-834

Office space most in demand in Bangalore
Bangalore recorded the country’s highest office space demand in the first quarter of 2012 at 3.6 million square feet. A DTZ Research report said that the cumulative absorption of space across seven cities, however, dropped 14 per cent on a sequential basis in the period. Cautious sentiments prevailed in the market as domestic macro-economic indicators remained uninspiring, said the report.

Anshul Jain, CEO, DTZ, said that policy-level paralysis was taking a toll on the real estate sector. “Occupiers are holding on to their decisions to take up commercial A-grade office space and are likely to continue with their present stance till the third quarter of CY 2012,” he said.

Bangalore saw a demand of 3.6 million sq ft, followed by Mumbai at 1.2 million sq ft. IT firms continued to drive the demand across the country, with Mumbai being an exception as the BFSI sector remained the largest occupier segment in the city.

The report said that project completions in the period grew by 30 per cent sequentially, as pace of construction picked up in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

A turn-around is expected in October, said Jain, adding that rentals will remain stable or increase marginally till then.

Source : http://www.realtyplusmag.com/rpnewsletter/fullstory.asp?news_id=19643&cat_id=3

BDA to amend CDP 2015 to end misuse of residential zones

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is contemplating an amendment to the Comprehensive Development Plan 2015 (CDP) in view of the interim direction of the High Court to cease commercial activity in residential zones.

As per the amendment suggested by the BDA, all commercial activities on ancillary land will be stopped. The ancillary land use allows the land owners to construct up to 20 per cent of the total built up area if the plot faces a 60 feet road. With the proposed amendment, the luxury will not be available for the owners.
Sources in the BDA told Deccan Herald that the amendment will help curb complaints on commercialisation of land near residential localities.
“There has been an increase in the number of complaints after the High Court order. The proposed amendment will help us tackle the problem of commercial structures in residential zones,” a BDA official said.
According to sources, the amendment has been put forth before the government two months ago, subsequent to the High Court order, and it was for the government to take a final decision.
On whether the amendment will come into force with retrospective effect, officials said the final order of the High Court would decide on the action to be initiated against commercial properties that have cropped up in the residential zones.
Final order
“We cannot expect people to hand over their properties which they have invested in, legally. The provisions in the CDP, currently, are clear to the effect that ancillary land use benefits can be utilised by land owners. However, the High Court final order has to be factored in before initiating any action,”said the BDA official.
However, sources indicate that the ancillary land use has been ‘misinterpreted’ and/or ‘exploited’ by real estate developers over the years. The concept provides that land tracts in residential zones can be used to build eateries, gyms and marriage halls.
IT firms occupying land
But over time, IT and ITES companies have begun to occupy ancillary lands. Further, big hotels have cropped up in residential localities under the name of eateries. On January 25, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna had directed the government, the BDA and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority to restrain from granting permission for commercial activities in purely residential zones, as marked in Comprehensive Development Plan 1995.
The order was passed during the hearing of a batch of petitions challenging the merits of the master plan 2015.

The 17 petitioners, including the Citizen Action Forum, Sadashivanagar Residents’ Welfare Association and other private individuals had contended that BDA’s formulation of the Revised Master Plan 2015 and its approval by the State government were ‘illegal.’
The main contention was with regard to the several new categories of zones, such as ‘mixed zones’, ‘mutation corridors’, ‘transformation zones’ and ‘ancillary land use’ all of which they claimed to be ultra vires.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/240970/bda-amend-cdp-2015-end.html

Kavika’s record turnover

The Karnataka Vidyuth Kharkhane (Kavika) has registered a record turnover of Rs 104.48 crore for the year 2011-12. This is the highest ever sales turnover achieved since the inception of the company.

The sales turnover of the company had stabilised at Rs 75 crore in the past five years. The graph went up significantly in 2011-12 with Kavika recording the highest production over a decade. The company has produced 20,067 distribution transformers this year. The previous best was in 2000-01 when it produced 17,854 transformers.
The company, which was in troubled waters in 2000, did well in the later years. Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, B P Venkatamuniyappa, chairperson, Kavika, said it had orders for about 33,000 distribution transformers at present.
After the Union government made it compulsory for electricity distribution companies to use ‘star-rated’ distribution transformers from January 2010, Kavika has begun manufacturing ‘3 Star’ distribution transformers.
The Central Power Research Institute has tested 4 and 5 Star distribution transformer samples and Kavika will soon manufacture them.
Modernisation plans are in the pipeline and the company is aiming at a 35 percent increase in production. It will also be hiring more employees for the purpose, doubling the strength, Venkatamuniyappa added.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/240966/kavikas-record-turnover.html

Palike gives unique numbers to City roads

The BBMP has introduced a system to assign unique identity numbers to the roads in the City, to help it check irregularities that have become rampant in road works. Under the road history system, the Palike’s database will also have details like the length and breadth of the roads.

The move follows a scam involving duplication of works on paper resulting in the looting of public money, in which the role of BBMP engineers and contractors was suspected. The Palike officials decided to map the City roads, while assigning unique identity numbers to properties.
Manjunath Raju, the chairman of the BBMP taxation and finance committee, said the Palike intends to link the unique identity number of roads with job codes to prevent irregularities.
“We have 94,260 roads measuring 17,000 kilometres. Earlier, it was difficult to identify them all, which had led to the duplication of works,” said Raju.
What makes the road number unique is that the roads from north to south are given odd numbers, while those from east to west bear even numbers. Contractors undertaking road laying work will be responsible for maintaining it for three years from the date of commencement of work.

The Palike also intends to link the road numbers with optical fibre cables and trees

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/240960/palike-gives-unique-numbers-city.html

Bangalore seeks nano way for fast Net

The dream of having a faster Internet within a few years may come true if pure science research by physicists in Bangalore succeeds.

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/04/10/240967_thump.jpg

In what may lead to the creation of more powerful data carrier in future than the trusted optical fibre cables, scientists have proposed a new route to produce “photonic crystals” that will lie at the core of those futuristic data network.

Currently, glass-made optical fibres rule the digital world as they carry more such data than archaic copper cables of the previous generation. But intense research is going on to develop the next generation data carrier which will be superior even to optical fibre.

One of the promising building blocks is called photonic crystal, a nano-material that works on the principles of light. Worldwide scientists are figuring out how such crystals of superior quality can be grown in the laboratory to develop the next generation carrier.

A team comprising researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, Raman Research Institute—both in Bangalore—and Austrian Academy of Sciences in Graz claims to have discovered a novel route to grow these crystals using DNA molecule. The findings have been published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences on Monday.

“We have suggested another route to produce these crystals. Our method involves the use of DNA templates to make new crystal structure. These crystals can be grown by changing the DNA concentration,” A K Sood, professor of physics at IISc and one of the team members, told Deccan Herald. The Indian method, Sood claimed, was better than the commonest technique (colloidal route) explored by other scientists as the Indian method can produce crystals of various structures—hexagonal, square and super-lattice—just by varying the DNA concentration. On the contrary, the route followed by other scientists can produce only one type of crystal.

“It is a new recipe of making these crystals, which we found after studying its physics closely. This can now be used to create new structures of photonic crystals,” said V A Raghunathan, a professor at Raman Institute and one of the team members.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/240967/bangalore-seeks-nano-way-fast.html

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VTU will experiment with online delivery of question papers this year

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Even as other universities in the State are reluctant to experiment with technology as far as the examination process, especially the question paper part, is concerned, the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum, has embraced the system in a big way.

From this year's examination, technology would go beyond digital evaluation with the implementation of the online Question Paper Delivery System (QPDS) replacing the physical distribution of papers to the affiliated colleges.

QPDS aims to increase transparency and prevent question paper leakage by eliminating two steps which have been associated with malpractices — transport of the question papers and their storage in store rooms manned by officials.

The project — coming under the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) executed under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, which envisages a greater role of technology in the learning and examination process — would involve distribution of papers to 203 colleges, cumulatively with around 67,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 postgraduate students.

Around 75 per cent of the cost required to install 10 Mbps network lines to the colleges would be borne by the HRD Ministry.

KEY FEATURES

VTU Registrar (Evaluation) G.N. Krishnamurthy, at a workshop held recently about VTU's digitisation processes, explained how the QPDS works: only authorised systems can be used in the entire process, both at the VTU as well as the affiliated colleges. The Registrar (Evaluation) logs in to the examination portal through a registered system. He selects the examination, date of examination, session, and chooses the question paper folder to be uploaded.

The question papers are uploaded 45 minutes before the commencement of the examination. The software allocates the relevant question papers to each college based on the examination application data received from each college.

A secret key to access the question papers is delivered to each college around 30 minutes before the examination. In each college, the principal, deputy chief superintendent and a systems administrator appointed by VTU will be responsible for the QPDS.

According to VTU officials, the question papers cannot be stored in the form of a soft copy as it is completely destroyed once the printing is completed. In addition, a specific time period for printing is given which has to be adhered to. Once the question paper is sent to the printer, the number of copies required (determined by the examination applications received from each college) gets printed.

COST ISSUES

When told that other universities were showing resistance to adopting technology owing mainly to cost and connectivity issues, Mr. Krishnamurthy said that ultimately, the varsities would have to give in. “True, it all depends on the infrastructure available at the colleges and their location. We don't have the exact cost of the QPDS, but as competition to bag the tenders increases, the costs also come down. Just like cellphones and the Internet became part of our routine lives even though they are additional expenditures, technology in the examination procedures too will have to be adopted sometime,” he said.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3299446.ece

The A to Z of Kannada folklore

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Chief Minister D V Sadanada Gowda released BUHAT JANAPADA NIGHANTU. Kannada Culture Minister Govind Karjol,Kannda Devolopment Authority Chairman Mukya Mantri Chandru,Janapada Academy Chairman Go Ru Channabasappa,Kannada Culture Information Secretary Basavaraj,Kannada Culture Dept Commissioner Manu Balegar,Sahity Venkatasubbayya are seen.

A 1,144-page dictionary on folklore has been released

A long-cherished dream of folklorist and litterateur Go. Ru. Channabasappa to bring out a Kannada Janapada Nighantu (Kannada folklore dictionary) has finally been realised.

From the day he assumed charge as chairman of the Karnataka Janapada Academy (KJA), Mr. Channabasappa directed his efforts towards bringing out the dictionary, and accomplished, with his team, what he described as “mission impossible”.

A team of 20 folklore experts and linguists, including G. Venkatasubbaiah, M.M. Kalburgi, H.J. Lakkappa Gowda, N. Basavaradhya, D. Lingaiah and C. Veeranna, relentlessly worked on the project, supported by the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), for nearly one-and-a-half years.

The result is the 1,144-page dictionary in three volumes.

Ambalike Hiriyanna, Vice-Chancellor of the Karnataka Folklore University, said KJA's “unique” initiative to develop a folklore dictionary was the first of its kind in the country.

There were various dictionaries on Kannada, but their focus was on refined literary words, although folklore was the basis for those words, he said.

Mr. Channabasappa sent a proposal on preparing the dictionary to the KDA in June 2010. KDA chairperson Mukhyamantri Chandru released Rs. 70 lakh for the project. “Of this, we have returned Rs. 28 lakh,” Mr. Channabasappa said. Over 430 reference books were consulted, and as many as 14 field editors and 34 field assistants visited every corner of the State. They collected over two lakh words from folklore and finally, the editorial team narrowed it down to around 50,000 words, which they defined.

‘INVALUABLE'

Describing the dictionary as an invaluable contribution to the cultural spectrum of Karnataka, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who released the dictionary recently, said the endeavour would go a long way in preserving the culture of the land.

The dictionary would reach people through all libraries in the State, Mr. Gowda said and added that the project would be transferred to the Karnataka Janapada University for further revision and re-editing in the future.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3297593.ece

No shortage of beer now, says minister

BANGALORE: Allaying fears of beer shortage, excise minister MP Renukacharya on Tuesday said there is no problem in its production and supply in Karnataka.

A few days ago, there was temporary disruption in production and supply because of change in labels to be pasted on beer bottles following increase in additional excise duty by 7.5%. The other reason for supply shortage was hoarding of bottles by shopkeepers to sell at higher prices after April 1, when the new rates took effect.

In his maiden budget, CM DV Sadananda Gowda increased the duty by 7.5% on Indian-Made Liquor, beer and low alcoholic beverage.


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/No-shortage-of-beer-now-says-minister/articleshow/12618132.cms

Bangalore apartment prices soar at Rs 33k/sq ft

BANGALORE: The IT City's residential real estate price has touched a new peak: Rs 33,000 per sqft. A recent apartment sale at Kingfisher Towers, an ultra highend residential project coming up on Vittal Mallya Road, recorded this rate. It's said to be the highest residential capital value in the city's history.

Kingfisher Towers, 34 storeys high, is a joint venture between the UB Group and the Prestige Group.

Sources privy to the development informed TOI the apartment was one of the few remaining in Kingfisher Towers, and is on one of the highest floors, with a view of Cubbon Park. The 8,200 sqft apartment will cost about Rs 27 crore.

Super luxury homes emerging in Bangalore's city centre are attracting the wealthy. Ashok Kheny, MD of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises, booked an 8,000-sqft apartment in Kingfisher Towers last year. Kheny would not talk about the price, but sources say he will pay Rs 24 crore.

Real estate watchers say Bangalore's real estate has come of age with an apartment rate of Rs 33,000 per sqft.

"While Rs 33,000 per sqft shows the coming of age of Bangalore's luxury residential market, it's still way behind the average price of Rs 70,000 per sqft that's quoted at many luxury residential developments in Mumbai," says Gulam Zia, national director, research & advisory services, of global property consultants Knight Frank.

Mantri's Altius was one of Bangalore's first super luxury projects . Launched in 2004, a 6,000-sqft apartment was then sold at Rs 5 crore. The price shot up to Rs 9 crore when the project was completed in 2006. Total Environment has launched a new project , Van Gogh's Garden, that offers 17 customized apartments, each having a terrace garden and a water body. The 4,000-9 ,000 sqft apartments cost between Rs 10 crore and Rs 23 crore.

At Rs 33,000 per sqft , Bangalore's rate is still way below the rates Mumbai has recorded. In November 2010, a national record was created when Flat 203 of Samudra Mahal, Worli, was sold for Rs 1,07,000 per sqft . In 2007, a fourbedroom unit at NCPA Apartments , Nariman Point, fetched a rate of Rs 97,842 per sqft.

Farook Mahmood, CMD of brokerage firm Silverline Realty, says Kingfisher Towers is "a one-of-a-kind project whose amenities, specs , infrastructure and location - overlooking Cubbon Park - cannot be recreated or compared with any other residential project in India. Just for its sheer location and view, the only comparison can be made with apartments overlooking Central Park in New York."

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-apartment-prices-soar-at-Rs-33k/sq-ft/articleshow/12617695.cms

Resolve compensation row to get land, Supreme Court tells NICE

The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) that the company will not be able to get possession of land for undertaking the ambitious multi-thousand crore Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) till the issue of land compensation was resolved.

A three-judge Bench headed by Justice R M Lodha refused to hear further a contempt petition filed by NICE seeking action against the State government for failing to acquire land for the project.

“If the compensation issue is not settled, nothing will be done. How can the possession be given,” the bench, also comprising Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice H L Gokhale, said.
“Unless you (parties) are able to find out solution to the compensation, we can’t issue any direction,” the Bench said.

Senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing for the company, submitted that the State
government was not implementing the apex court’s order passed in 2006, settling the issues pertaining to the project and acquisition of 20,193 acres of land.
He objected to the fixing of price at Rs 40 lakh per acre by the district committee chaired by deputy commissioner, Bangalore for the land acquired in section A of the project, for laying 41 km peripheral and 9.8 km link roads near the city.

As the counsel told the court that the fixing of price has been challenged before the Karnataka High Court, the Bench said that it would hear the petition only after the issue of compensation to be paid to the land owners was resolved. At the outset, the Bench asked Dave to explain how he sought contempt action against the State government or where he found disobedience of the apex court order with regard to the project. The counsel alleged that the politicians of the State had acted mala fide to stall the project.

“Large tracts of land meant to be acquired for the project are allowed to be registered by land sharks,” he contended, referring to the statement of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, in which he allegedly vowed to stall the project.

Senior advocate U U Lalit, appearing for the State government, on the other hand, submitted that as per the framework agreement and the apex court’s judgement, an extent of 2,193 acres of land was to be given for peripheral road, whereas the total extent of land already handed over to the company as on date was 2,747 acres, which was an excess of 554 acres.

After the issue of final notification, price has been fixed for an extent of more than 1,300 acres of land for township I in Bidadi for which the required compensation was still awaited from the project company, before the handing over of land, he said.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for different land owners, also claimed that the company had been given excess land.

The BMICP conceives an expressway along with the infrastructure corridor between Bangalore and Mysore.

The project - to come up on 20,193 acres - also envisages development of five townships.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241187/resolve-compensation-row-get-land.html

Growth drains sanctity from ‘holy waters’

BANGALORE: While many activists have been opposing the disappearance of lakes in the city due to rapid growth and commercialisation, the age-old ‘Kalyanis’ or temple tanks which are water storage areas built as part of Hindu temple complexes, are losing the significance in today’s world.
Once, the belief that taking a dip in a Kalyani could cure diseases, is now a myth. It seems like people who dare to take bath in the Kalyanis now, are destined to suffer from allergies. Due to urbanisation and lack of maintenance, Kalyanis have turned into dumping yards.
Kalyanis built during the dynasties of Chalukyas, Kadambas and Rashtrakootas, had a massive capacity to store water, but, this has been now fast disappearing as the city grows.
In an effort to save the historical Kalyanis, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST) has taken up a research under the sponsorship of Central Government to investigate the present conditions of Kalyanis in the state.
Based on a proposal sent by KSCST project investigator U T Vijay, to the Union Government, he and an eight-member team has been granted `4.3 lakh to conduct a research as a pilot project in Hassan, Tumkur and Bagalkot. The research which started February, last year, is scheduled to end this year. Speaking to Express, Vijay said, “Kalyanis will be selected from the taluk panchayats concerned. Our team will visit all the Kalyanis and through global positioning system (GPS), the latitude and longitude of the Kalyani will be mapped. Later, the state of the Kalyani, level and quality of water, source of water and maintenance will be surveyed.”
He said that the opinion of the local residents will be recorded.
“We will take note of the number of families that depend on Kalyanis, total storage capacity, purpose served by the water, religious and cultural sanctity the Kalyanis hold,” he added.
“There is a need to create awareness and rejuvenate Kalyanis. Most Kalyanis are dry. They have to be maintained as all these water bodies can become a lifeline for the towns,” said Vijay.
Geologist, like Srikanteshwara Swamy and Geographic Information System analyst Ajay Kumar, are part of Vijay’s endeavour. The report will be submitted to the Union Government, based on which, further projects will be planned.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Growth-drains-sanctity-from-%E2%80%98holy-waters%E2%80%99/380717.html

Young Belgaum skater sets new Guinness record

BELGAUM: Rohan Kokane of Belgaum set a second Guinness World Record in lowest limbo skating over 10 metre category. He skated under ten bars of 25 cm height in Italy recently.
Italian television company Europroduzione, Monte Zebio, Rome, recorded Kokane’s performance on April 4. Kokane was honoured with a medal by official observers Lorehro Jectri and Margo Frigatti.
Kokane is a member of Belgaum Skating Academy and student of St Xavier’s High School. He has already set a Guinness World Record by skating under cars.
He also made a place for himself in Limca Record, World Record Academy, India Book record and New Public Record.
A South Korea-based organisation has made a documentary on Rohan.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/young-belgaum-skater-sets-new-guinness-record/381068.html

Karnataka to give 500 acres to HAL

BANGALORE: The state government may give 500 acres of land in Bidar to the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to set up its advanced utility helicopter (AUH) manufacturing unit.
The state Cabinet, which will be meeting here on Thursday, is expected to give approval for sanctioning the land, which the HAL felt will be suitable to house its prestigious project. According to sources, the state government, following a request by the HAL has decided to provide 500 acres of land at Bidar where the Indian Air Force also has its base.
The HAL is planning to develop Bidar as an exclusive hub for its helicopter manufacturing facilities if the land was sanctioned, the sources added.
This apart, the Cabinet is also expected to give its nod for issuing appointment orders to 629 high school teachers.
These teachers were selected through the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
Among many, there willl be prominent subjects that the Cabinet may handle in its discussion during the meeting.
Transfer of Nemmadi project from Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms to the Revenue Department, framing of guidelines for the appointment of teaching staff to AYUSH colleges, grant of central scales to the officers and officials of Karnataka High Court, waiver of loans to the weavers to Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation. may be discussed in the meeting.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/karnataka-to-give-500-acres-to-hal/381409.html

A tiny room in Basavanagudi brews a success story

Hatti Kaapi started three years ago as a tiny 50 sq ft outlet serving filter coffee in Basavanagudi. Encouraged by customers who throng its outlets for a cup of traditional coffee and a quick bite, the 24-outlet chain, started by 39-year-old engineer US Mahendar, plans to open 50 quick-service outlets, serving bisi bele bhath, khara bhath, maddur vada as well as tea and coffee within a year.
Apart from opening outlets at junctions and busy circles, Mahendar is targeting Yeswantpur and city railway stations, as well as highways such as Bangalore-Mysore, Bangalore-Tumkur, Bangalore-Tirupati and Bangalore-Hassan.

These newer outlets will double Hatti Kaapi’s business from the current 60,000 cups of coffee per day by 2013. Focused on providing the taste of traditional filter coffee to the non-complaining lower middle class, the chain has managed to retain its identity amidst a wave of western-style cafes.

“We are not competing with Cafe Coffee Day (CCD). Our target audience and marketing strategy are different. Alongside the lower middle income category, we aim to attract traditional south Indian families for whom filter coffee is a culture,” said Mahendar, who started the chain along with TS Lakhshmana Swamy, adding that: “We encourage takeaways. Ours is more of a quick-bite outlet rather than a lounge where you can linger long”.

Starting off as a purely coffee joint, Mahendar soon realised the importance of serving something to munch on. “Though our Hattti Kaapi mini centres offer only Maddur vadas, the bigger outlets serve poha, uthappam and idli,” he said.

The chain’s varied customers— auto drivers and students to old-timers looking for something traditional—are lured by its `7 coffee and `15 snacks combo.

It seems Hatti Kappi may replicate CCD’s success, though at a lesser scale.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_a-tiny-room-in-basavanagudi-brews-a-success-story_1674821

Rs42,030 crore plan size for Karnataka in 2012-13

The Planning Commission approved `42,030 crore plan size for Karnataka for 2012-13. The commission’s deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who approved the plan size after a meeting with chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda in New Delhi on Wednesday, asked the state government to help improve Bangalore’s infrastructure, considering the city is a global IT hub and is emerging as a leading business centre.

Speaking to reporters, the chief minister requested the commission and the Union government for a special grant for the city’s development. He urged the railways ministry to implement the commuter rail system for the city without delay. “To cope with the massive urbanisation, the rail system should be enabled to de-congest traffic,” he said.

“Karnataka is one of the few states that have consistently realised more resources than what has been budgeted in Five Year Plans. The state is likely to expend `1,14,152 crore against an allocation of `1,01,664 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Plan,” the chief minister said, adding: “The annual plan size of `42,030 crore is an increase of 10.40% over `38,070 crore in 2011-12.”

The chief minister asked the union finance ministry to set the borrowing limit for each state based on its debt handling capacity. He also sought the commission’s intervention for providing environmental clearances and dedicated coal blocks for the proposed thermal plants in the state.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_rs42030-crore-plan-size-for-karnataka-in-2012-13_1674822

Privatisation is not harming lakes: Karnataka HC

The high court on Wednesday upheld the decision of the Lake Development Authority (LDA) regarding the privatisation of four lakes in Hebbal, Nagavara, Vengaiahkere and Agara.

The Environment Support Group (ESG) had filed a PIL seeking quashing of the lease deeds that were executed by LDA in favour of a few companies, and further directing the government to ensure compliance with the law and policies relating to protection and conservation of lakes, tanks and wetland.

Stating that privatisation was not harming the ecology, a division bench headed by Justice K Sreedhar Rao disposed of the PIL.
The high court has observed that issuing directions were necessary for the preservation of lakes. The court added that it was necessary to undertake a survey of lakes and tanks, demarcate boundaries and fence such waterbodies.

It ordered that all unauthorised construction within 30 metres from the periphery of the lakes and tanks should be cleared.
“Removal of silt and scientific de-weeding has to be conducted periodically in addition to stopping the flow of sewage into lakes and tanks in the buffer areas of such bodies,” ordered the court.

It constituted local- and district-level committees across the state in order to improve lakes. With regard to Bangalore, the court constituted a committee headed by the BBMP commissioner and directed them to hold bi-monthly meeting and collect reports regarding management and maintenance of lakes, including the four lakes that have been leased out. The committees must send their reports to LDA, which shall initiate measures for preservation and maintenance of lakes.

The court observed that the panel headed by Justice NK Patil, who inspected the four lakes, said the lakes were in good condition after being privatised. The court directed the managements of the four lakes to not charge an entry fee for children below the age of 12 years. However, the managements can charge a fee for recreational facilities.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_privatisation-is-not-harming-lakes-karnataka-hc_1674820

Bangalore green cover down from 71% to 12%

If researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) are to be believed, Bangalore is one most poorly managed cities in the country with a huge carbon footprint (CF). IISc researchers Dr TV Ramachandra, Bharath H Aithal, Salvi Takur and Shwetmala, who are amid a two-year project funded by Asia-Pacific Network for Climate Change, say the area under vegetation in the city declined from 71% in 1973 to 12% in 2012.

“Bangalore leads the pack of cities with higher CF. It is one of the most mismanaged cities and only 3.4% of the Bangaloreans is environmentally literate,” says Ramachandra of Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES).

The city’s architecture, which is not eco-friendly, too adds to CF. “There has been an increase in the number of high-rise buildings with glass facades which trap heat. This means more use of electricity for fans and air conditioners, which drives up CO2 emission,” he says.

The study, which focuses on measuring the city's CF, shows that high-rise buildings account for 59% of the carbon emission.

Ramachandra says there is gross mismanagement of solid waste in the city. The study shows 72-75% of the city's urban solid waste (USW) is essentially organic waste. “There is a lack of coordination in managing waste and the treatment system is not effective,” he says, pointing out that the dumping of USW poses severe environmental problems.

According to the study, mismanagement of the city’s water resources, along with inadequate recycling, not only contributes to CF but threaten residents' well-being.

“Urbanisation leads to a reduction in the number of water bodies. This especially affects thosebelow poverty line as they don’t have a place wash their clothes. Besides, water gets contaminated,” says Ramachandra.

Sewage and wastewater are mostly discharged into storm water drains that link to waterbodies, contaminating them and posing a threat to public health, the study adds.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-green-cover-down-from-71pct-to-12pct_1674594

Last man standing for Devanahalli Fort

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) surely knows how to treat a 500-year-old fort, or whatever remains of it. And the Karnataka government knows how to make things worse.

The Devanahalli Fort, situated at 35 km from the city, is craving for immediate attention of ASI authorities who are more than content with appointing a monument attendant to look after the citadel that was built in 1501. Yes, one man to guard a fort.

The fort, built by Mallabairegowda in 1501 and then re-built with stones by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, is spread over an area of 20 acres. The very expanse makes it vulnerable, and the results are there to be seen.

The main threat to the fort today comes from local people who have occupied tracts of the fort area and constructed houses. Many have even extended existing ones.
The monument attendant of Devanahalli Fort, KV Gopal, can do little to mitigate the onslaught. “I have lodged complaints with the local police against more than 200 people for encroaching the fort land. But no effort has been made to evict the encroachers.’’

The non-cooperation of the police and the greed of municipal authorities have emboldened encroachers, who now live and rule there with impunity. Yet, some uncertainty lurks. “Many people will lose their dwellings if ASI takes measures to clear the encroachments as per the ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment & Validation) Act, 2010,’’ says KV Kannan, a resident.

Confirming the encroachment of fort land, K Chandrakanth, senior conservation assistant, ASI, blames municipal authorities for giving permission to the people to construct houses on the fort land. “We are disappointed with their non-cooperation. We have decided to take the issue with the deputy commissioner,’’ says Chandrakanth.

Gopal was the only attendant till three months back. ASI has since employed another temporary worker to help with maintaining the monument.

Encroachment is not the only issue that Gopal and his colleague have to deal with. The fort does not have power supply either.
Reaching the fort wall is an arduous task. Empty liquor bottles, crumbling bricks and gaping holes, probably dug by bandicoots, are its salient features.

The roughly oval east-oriented fortification veneered with dressed masonry has as many as 12 semi-circular bastions at regular intervals. A spacious battlement is provided towards the inner side of the fortification. The fort has an entrance decorated with cut plaster work. But that’s on paper. Everything is slowly falling apart.
Residents of the area feel ASI has not done anything to protect the fort besides appointing a watchman and fencing a portion of the fort premises.

“They took up repair work only last year. There is nothing to revel about the fort which is in dilapidated condition,’’ laments P Venkatesh, a printing press owner.

Chandrakanth, however, allays fears. According to him, `8 lakh were spent on restoring a portion of the southern side of the fort wall last year. “Restoration is a continuous process. We are yet to prepare an action plan for this year. We will send estimation to higher authorities shortly,’’ he promises.
Now, if only promises are kept.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_last-man-standing-for-devanahalli-fort_1674809

Can anyone tell the best route from Bangalore(Shivaji Nagar) to Mysore by car? Google maps shows three routes.

Are there any tourist attractions on the way?

A Bangalore record: Ultra luxurious flat goes for Rs 33,000 per sqft

The IT City’s residential real estate price has touched a new peak: Rs 33,000 per sqft. A recent apartment sale at Kingfisher Towers, an ultra highend residential project coming up on Vittal Mallya Road, recorded this rate. It’s said to be the highest residential capital value in the city’s history.

Kingfisher Towers, 34 storeys high, is a joint venture between the UB Group and the Prestige Group.

Sources privy to the development informed TOI the apartment was one of the few remaining in Kingfisher Towers, and is on one of the highest floors, with a view of Cubbon Park. The 8,200 sqft apartment will cost about Rs 27 crore.

Super luxury homes emerging in Bangalore’s city centre are attracting the wealthy. Ashok Kheny, MD of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises, booked an 8,000-sqft apartment in Kingfisher Towers last year. Kheny would not talk about the price, but sources say he will pay Rs 24 crore.

RATES KISS SKY

Rs 1,07,000/sqft

Flat 203, Samudra Mahal, Worli

Rs 97,842/sqft

4-bedroom flat at NCPA Apartments, Nariman Point

Rs 33,000/sqft

Bangalore rates still below those in Mumbai
Bangalore : Real estate watchers say Bangalore’s real estate has come of age with an apartment rate of Rs 33,000 per sqft . “While Rs 33,000 per sqft shows the coming of age of Bangalore’s luxury residential market, it’s still way behind the average price of Rs 70,000 per sqft that’s quoted at many luxury residential developments in Mumbai,” says Gulam Zia, national director, research & advisory services, of global property consultants Knight Frank.

Mantri’s Altius was one of Bangalore’s first super luxury projects . Launched in 2004, a 6,000-sqft apartment was then sold at Rs 5 crore. The price shot up to Rs 9 crore when the project was completed in 2006.

Total Environment has launched a new project , Van Gogh’s Garden, that offers 17 customized apartments , each having a terrace garden and a water body. The 4,000-9 ,000 sqft apartments cost between Rs 10 crore and Rs 23 crore.

At Rs 33,000 per sqft , Bangalore’s rate is still way below the rates Mumbai has recorded. In November 2010, a national record was created when Flat 203 of Samudra Mahal, Worli, was sold for Rs 1,07,000 per sqft . In 2007, a fourbedroom unit at NCPA Apartments , Nariman Point, fetched a rate of Rs 97,842 per sqft .

Farook Mahmood, CMD of brokerage firm Silverline Realty, says Kingfisher Towers is “a one-of-a-kind project whose amenities, specs , infrastructure and location – overlooking Cubbon Park – cannot be recreated or compared with any other residential project in India. Just for its sheer location and view, the only comparison can be made with apartments overlooking Central Park in New York.”

Source :http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-11/news/ 31325081_ 1_residential-project-silverline-realty-ncpa-apartments

Can anyone tell the best route from Bangalore(Shivaji Nagar) to Mysore by car? Google maps shows three routes.

Are there any tourist attractions on the way?

Shivaji Nagar -> Vidhana Soudha -> Corporation Circle -> KR Market -> Sirsi Circle Flyover - straight to Mysore.

Ranganthittu - > Bird Sanctuary [128 Kms from Blore]

Sri Rangapatna -> Durga, Fort, River [125 ]

Channapatna -> Wooden Toys [arnd 60 kms]

Maddur -> For the Vada. [80KMs]


If leaving in the morning, can have a pit stop for break fast at Kamat Lokaruchi, Ramanagar .

Can anyone tell the best route from Bangalore(Shivaji Nagar) to Mysore by car? Google maps shows three routes.

Are there any tourist attractions on the way?

The simplest route is the toughest one---Mysore nyandahalli circle :bash: Also enter Mysore city again you are fcuked with dust and pot holes bloody JUSCO,dude don't waste your trip going to mysore now(Visit during dasara,hopefully ug cable works/water supply works get completed by then).

Instead visit coorg/madikeri it will be a good one.:)

^^ +1 , Mysore road till Nayandahalli will be like naraka.

Incase already planned everything , then i would add few more places .

Dodda Alada Mara (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodda_Alada_Mara)(Big Banyan Tree)
Wonder la (near Bidadi)
Innovative film city (near Bidadi)
Tippu summer palace & Ganjam & Sangam(SriRanga patna)

^^ +1 , Mysore road till Nayandahalli will be like naraka.


Clutch plate,kai,kaal gaadi yalla out....That too on weekends forget it.:nuts:Amrutanjan daba itkolbaeku guruvae

All eateries along Mys-Blr road were full last week.No place for parking.

I was returning to Bangalore from Mysore,the highway looked like a city road.One busy urban corridor I must say...But love the KSRTC Airavata Volvos they simply fly :) Flying elephants :lol:

If leaving in the morning, can have a pit stop for break fast at Kamat Lokaruchi, Ramanagar .

Bejaan e dhavae guruvae...

Kamat Lokaruchi,Kamat Indradansuh,Adigas,Vaishali,taj biryani,The empire,KFC,Mc Donald,Cafe coffee day(some 6),Shivalli,Maddur Tiffany,baskin robbins,barista,lots of good dhabas and bars etc...

The best highway to eat and drive :cheers:

Thanks a lot Nandan, Akash, Sunil..

Clutch plate,kai,kaal gaadi yalla out....That too on weekends forget it.:nuts:Amrutanjan daba itkolbaeku guruvae


Showed this thread to mom. Decided not to go to Mysore by car. :)

Planning to go for this (http://karnatakaholidays.net/city_holidays_mysore.htm)

Thanks a lot Nandan, Akash, Sunil..



Showed this thread to mom. Decided not to go to Mysore by car. :)

Planning to go for this (http://karnatakaholidays.net/city_holidays_mysore.htm)

Good that you have not booked it yet :lol: Most screwed up Itinerary

06.30 am Departure from Badami House, Bangalore*
08.45 am - 09.00 am Break at Channapatna (Toys Center) (Waste of time)
09.20 am - 09.45 am Breakfast at Maddur : He will stop at Kadamba KSRTC restaurant(decent one but not family kind of restaurant) and not those I listed above)
10.50 am - 12.10 pm Visit Daria Daulat, Fort, Sriranganatha Swamy Temple (Don't waste time here)
12.30 pm - 01.15 pm Visit St. Philomena's Church, Mysore & Shopping(Big time waste)
01.35 pm - 02.00 pm Visit Chamundi Temple, Mysore (Afternoon? Best time would be a drive on the hill during evening where you can see the city glittering by 7 pm,temple opens for darshan at 7 pm)
02.30 pm - 03.15 pm Lunch & Rest (Time waste)
03.30 pm - 04.15 pm Visit Mysore Palace: (No fun without experiencing the phenomena where lights sing)
04.25 pm - 05.15 pm Visit Zoological Garden (afternoon would be the best time to visit 1:15 pm-) Karanji lake adjoing the zoo is a must visit spot missed by many tourists
06.00 pm - 07.45 pm Visit Illuminated Brindavan Gardens ( hmmm.....)
09.15 pm - 09.45 pm Dinner at Maddur (Again Kadamba restaurant)
11.30 pm Tour ends at Badami House, Bangalore ........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



let me know when you are planning to do a trip to Mysore? I will put up an itinerary for you...You may take your car provided you leave very early in the morning like say 6 am from Bangalore :)

CP,

If you are going with family and you have only a day or two, you can take the first train in the morning from Bengaluru to Mysuru. Book in a local tour bus with KSTDC AC coach starting from Mysuru and ending in Mysuru, You can catch the train back to Bangalore late night or next day morning.

If you have a few days to spare and money to spend, then take a local cab. There are numerous tourist spots around. Please PM me if you need details.

Happy Hols.

We are starting from Villupuram(TN) by tomorrow morning and ll reach Bangalore by afternoon. Tomorrow Evening and for Saturday I have planned to visit places in and around Bangalore. Sunday is free where we are yet to decide on where to go.

Would be very helphul if you plan an itinerary for Sunday. :) Yes we can start from 6AM from Bangalore(Ramada Hotel).

We are starting from Villupuram(TN) by tomorrow morning and ll reach Bangalore by afternoon. Tomorrow Evening and for Saturday I have planned to visit places in and around Bangalore. Sunday is free where we are yet to decide on where to go.

Would be very helphul if you plan an itinerary for Sunday. :) Yes we can start from 6AM from Bangalore(Ramada Hotel).

Great!! Sunday morning the whole highway belongs to you :cheers:

Exit Bangalore by 7:30 am

Take a break of 25 mins anywhere in the restaurants listed below You will find on the highway apart from the ones listed below,I have recalled the most prominent ones.

Kamat Lokaruchi,Kamat Indradansuh,Adigas,Vaishali,taj biryani,The empire,KFC,Mc Donald,Cafe coffee day(some 6),Shivalli,Maddur Tiffany,baskin robbins,barista,lots of good dhabas and bars etc...

Reach Srirangapatna at 10 am : Visit Tippu summer palace

Reach Mysore city by 10:20 am

On reaching Outer ring road/Columbia asia hospital (Traveling a bit further) you encounter a Junction take a right turn
there,this road leads to City straightaway without much confusion

contd...

Spot 1: Jaganmohan Palace, Entry fee 25 rs per head.

"Art Gallery"

11:15 am exit

Spot 2: Zoo ,Entry fee 20 rs per head

"The best zoo in India" Spend more time here :D

12:20/12:30 exit

Spot 3: Karanji Lake Entry fee 10-15 rs

"India's biggest walk through aviary" Bird sightseeing/Boating/tower view

1:15 exit

Spot 4: Lunch 1:30 - 2:15 pm

Guru residency JLB Road

Spot 5: Mysore Main Palace entry fee 40 rs

Interiors

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

Mysore palace museum behind the main palace

3:45 pm exit

contd...

Spot 6: Chamundi hill/Lalithamahal

4:15 pm at foot hill

Proceed to the hill, enjoy views of the city as you climb up the hill..stop at various view points.Mysore spans to about 260 degrees around the hill you cannot capture the city view in one shot.

On the hill : Nandi bull statue is there...Plan such a way that you leave Chamundi hill by 7:15 pm after darshan.

Spot7: Palace is illuminated from 7pm -8pm reach there anytime..

Spot8: On way to Bangalore.....Brindavan garden Illumination,need to be there before 8 pm...closes by 9pm I guess .

visit spot 8 If you have any energy left with you :lol:

This covers prominent tourists spots within city limits,there are n number of spots in and around which is not possible to cover them in a day.

On reaching Outer ring road/Columbia asia hospital (Traveling a bit further) you encounter a Junction take a right turn
there,this road leads to City straightaway without much confusion

contd...

^^ Then you encounter a huge Circle/ LIC office Take a right turn there..Forgot to add this :nuts:

Thanks a Ton akash.

Just to cross check..

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1649/mysore.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/mysore.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Maps (http://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr=Ramada+Hotel+Bangalore,+Bengaluru,+Karnataka&daddr=Kamat+Lokaruchi,+Janapadaloka,+Archakrahalli,+Ramanagara,+SH+94,+Bengaluru+Rural,+Karnataka+571511+to:Tippu%27s+Death+place,+Srirangapattana,+Karnataka+to:Columbia+Asia+Hospital,+Mysore+Bangalore+road,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Jaganmohan+Palace+and+Art+Gallery,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Mysore+Zoo+Parking+Lot,+Ittige+Gudu,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Karanji+Lake,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Guru+residency+to:Mysore+Palace+Parking+Lot,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Mysore,+Karnataka+(Museum)+to:Chamundi+Hill,+Mysore,+Karnataka+(Chamundeshwari+Temple)+to:Brindavan+Gardens,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Bangalore,+Karnataka&hl=en&ll=12.410089,76.727486&spn=0.261534,0.41851&sll=12.785193,77.251654&sspn=1.815942,3.348083&geocode=FUwfxgAdtRagBCG6vUgxb8DSbw%3BFdrKwQAd6cOaBClzSrclmE2uOzFhRswfLtFZBw%3BFaWXvQAdGCqSBCFXRxlObiEVmg%3BFZNxvAAdBL-RBCGqUaQmyAxP2A%3BFQjJuwAdhJmRBCHMXwAip0Q69Q%3BFeS2uwAdrsqRBCH9v8xxiwWl0Q%3BFdq6uwAd****BCnXKB07JXCvOzHCral44f9blw%3BFcLguwAdlHmRBCFgSIBA-k3JNQ%3BFfe6uwAdfK6RBCEHbJIM8dkNRQ%3BFe7FuwAdRvSRBCEvWkDDtvg4Lg%3BFTdOuwAdxOSRBCGGMex2G_uLGA%3BFYyNvQAd6GyQBCGytubgfrpfkQ%3BFU_uxQAdw_-fBCltTrTJcBauOzHgT35R6MPf-A&oq=Bangalo&mra=pd&t=m&z=12)

visit spot 8 If you have any energy left with you :lol:

Sure I ll have some charge left but my parents wont. ll sure try to cover as many as we can.

Thanks again for your time!!

Spot 4: Lunch 1:30 - 2:15 pm

Guru residency JLB Road

Can you please point it in G Map. Seems I have picked a wrong one

Thanks a Ton akash.

Just to cross check..


I have updated the route check
http://i44.tinypic.com/10r90et.jpg
Map (http://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr=Ramada+Hotel+Bangalore,+Bengaluru,+Karnataka&daddr=Kamat+Lokaruchi,+Janapadaloka,+Archakrahalli,+Ramanagara,+SH+94,+Bengaluru+Rural,+Karnataka+571511+to:Tippu%27s+Death+place,+Srirangapattana,+Karnataka+to:Columbia+Asia+Hospital,+Mysore+Bangalore+road,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Jaganmohan+Palace+and+Art+Gallery,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Mysore+Zoo+Parking+Lot,+Ittige+Gudu,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Karanji+Lake,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Guru+residency+to:Mysore+Palace+Parking+Lot,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Mysore,+Karnataka+(Museum)+to:Chamundi+Hill,+Mysore,+Karnataka+(Chamundeshwari+Temple)+to:Brindavan+Gardens,+Mysore,+Karnataka+to:Bangalore,+Karnataka&hl=en&ll=12.410089,76.727486&spn=0.261534,0.41851&sll=12.785193,77.251654&sspn=1.815942,3.348083&geocode=FUwfxgAdtRagBCG6vUgxb8DSbw%3BFdrKwQAd6cOaBClzSrclmE2uOzFhRswfLtFZBw%3BFaWXvQAdGCqSBCFXRxlObiEVmg%3BFZNxvAAdBL-RBCGqUaQmyAxP2A%3BFQjJuwAdhJmRBCHMXwAip0Q69Q%3BFeS2uwAdrsqRBCH9v8xxiwWl0Q%3BFdq6uwAd****BCnXKB07JXCvOzHCral44f9blw%3BFcLguwAdlHmRBCFgSIBA-k3JNQ%3BFfe6uwAdfK6RBCEHbJIM8dkNRQ%3BFe7FuwAdRvSRBCEvWkDDtvg4Lg%3BFTdOuwAdxOSRBCGGMex2G_uLGA%3BFYyNvQAd6GyQBCGytubgfrpfkQ%3BFU_uxQAdw_-fBCltTrTJcBauOzHgT35R6MPf-A&oq=Bangalo&mra=pd&t=m&z=12)

Noted.. Thanks Akash..

Can you please point it in G Map. Seems I have picked a wrong one

It is right :) BTW tourists don't see the real part of Mysore... :( Those places I mentioned are routine stuff...
After lunch just go on a drive around kukrahalli lake I will update the map wait ..that area has nice heritage structures.... :)

BTW I missed rail museum :ohno: and also mysore got India's first miniature trains 6 of them :) plz make a video ...wait I will add them on maps

After lunch add Balaji temple and Railway museum both located on KRS/Akashwani road.That miniature train stuff is located in the mysore railway station which is very close to the rail museum ask someone over there,they will guide you.

Added Balaji temple and Railway Museum

http://i43.tinypic.com/2vrs900.jpg

Cool. CP try Maddur Vada it is unique in taste.

Cool. CP try Mathur Vada it is unique in taste.

It's not Mathur Vada. It is MADDUR VADA. MADDUR is a small town which you will get while travelling between bengaluru and mysooru. The dish originated from that place.

Sure. Thanks.

The simplest route is the toughest one---Mysore nyandahalli circle :bash: Also enter Mysore city again you are fcuked with dust and pot holes bloody JUSCO,dude don't waste your trip going to mysore now(Visit during dasara,hopefully ug cable works/water supply works get completed by then).

Instead visit coorg/madikeri it will be a good one.:)

^^ +1 , Mysore road till Nayandahalli will be like naraka.


:lol: CP, to avoid going through "Naraka", take a detour from Chamarajpet towards Bull temple road and head towards NICE Road. http://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr=jh+army+stores&daddr=12.9354712,77.5604502+to:12.9323047,77.544915+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=12.94601,77.563906&spn=0.049102,0.077162&sll=12.936056,77.539101&sspn=0.024552,0.038581&geocode=FfYbxgAdHyKgBA%3BFS9hxQAdgnqfBCnhwa4VJz6uOzFETLhcSi3_Cw%3BFdBUxQAd0z2fBCnFpAYfOj6uOzFBR0hzNB-qoA%3BFfBsxQAd7BCfBA&t=h&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1,2&z=14

Bejaan e dhavae guruvae...

Kamat Lokaruchi,Kamat Indradansuh,Adigas,Vaishali,taj biryani,The empire,KFC,Mc Donald,Cafe coffee day(some 6),Shivalli,Maddur Tiffany,baskin robbins,barista,lots of good dhabas and bars etc...

The best highway to eat and drive :cheers:

For a tourist, I would not suggest KFC, Mc D, CCD ... Local flavors taste maadli :)

Has anyone been to Taj Biryani? If I remember correct, while heading to Bangalore its just after the Columbia Asia hospital junction. Hows the Biryani there?

For a tourist, I would not suggest KFC, Mc D, CCD ... Local flavors taste maadli :)

Has anyone been to Taj Biryani? If I remember correct, while heading to Bangalore its just after the Columbia Asia hospital junction. Hows the Biryani there?

they have opened 3 outlets along the highway...No idea about the taste.There are few exclusive fish restaurants too.

It's not Mathur Vada. It is MADDUR VADA. MADDUR is a small town which you will get while travelling between bengaluru and mysooru. The dish originated from that place.

One should try maddur vada in restaurants like kamat which are authentic,the one's they sell in bus stand/railway stations are all half cooked.

None of the restaurants nor the street side vendors have got the original taste these days :ohno: They have lost it completely. Earlier while passing through Maddur, one would get stuck with the aroma of the vadas and the gatti chutney. Ahh that was bliss.

International human trafficking busted (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/International-human-trafficking-busted/articleshow/12644608.cms)
TNN | Apr 13, 2012, 04.50AM IST

BANGALORE: Subramanyapura police in South Bangalore busted a human trafficking racket by arresting two Mumbai-based accused. The accused allegedly lured gullible women promising them jobs in Dubai, Muscat and other countries. They even paid for victims' passport, visa and air ticket and later pushed them in to flesh trade through their agents abroad.

The arrested have been identified as K P Saleh alias Saleh Kunni alias Koya Saleh,59, and Nafeesa Bhanu, 38, both from Mumbai. Saleh is a native of Kerala while Bhanu was staying at Vasanthapura on Subramanyapura Main Road. The duo were helped by their agents Sherrief, a native of Mangalore, and Kumari in Muscat.

According to police, Saleh was earlier working as a passport agent in Mumbai. He has agents at Bangalore, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other places. With the help of these agents, Saleh used to approach gullible women, assuring them jobs abroad. Bhanu used to take the victims personally to various airports and help them board the flights, said police.

Muscat police had raided a flesh trade centre, arrested 20 women, including 12 from India. After the legal process, these women were sent back to India. Among them, one victim, a resident of J P Nagar VIII Phase, had filed a complaint with the Subramanyapura police in October 2010.
pan-indian network :bash:

Bangalore residential rentals stabilize

With the inventory levels going up across all micro markets, residential rentals are stable except in CBD and select other areas where high-end housing demand is predominantly driven by expatriates in the city. There are others who feel that rental market saw a hike by 20-30 per cent in the last one year before stabilising now.

In CBD areas, rentals are up by 8-10 per cent due to demand exceeding supply. There are realtors who say that the appreciation would be as high as 10-15 per cent due to the growing demand in central areas and the spurt in the influx of expatriates from Europe and US to the city.

The demand for leasing from expatriates is particularly for gated community development projects in proximity to international schools, says Farook Mahmood, CMD of Silverline Realty Pvt Ltd. The location varies depending on the work spot and availability of international schools for children. High end apartments in CBD areas and villas in areas like Whitefield drive demand where the rentals range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per month.

Apartments in CBD areas command a higher price than other areas. Rentals range from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2 lakh per month for 2 BHK units depending on the location, proximity to landmark areas and amenities offered in the project. Similarly rentals for 3 BHK units range from Rs 45,000 to Rs 2 lakh per month, according to realtors.

A significant development is the expansion of commercial property market which in turn has boosted the demand for housing in the city. Even some of the call centre trainers are coming from abroad, according to realtors. Unlike earlier, the demand from expatriates for housing has gone up in and around the city.

For apartments, rentals are more or less stable except in a few areas where demand exceeds supply levels, says A Siddique Beary, director, Bearys group. Bangalore continued to top the charts with the highest office space absorption last year in the country with 11.53 million sq.ft. along with additional pre commitments of 5 million sq. ft for 2012. The influx of expatriates and the resultant demand for high end housing need not be overstressed further. The impact on high end housing especially from expatriates has resulted in rentals surging by 15-20 per cent in select areas, he adds.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s quarterly update, Bangalore market saw the absorption of 4,182 units in 1Q12 against 3,370 units in 4Q11, pushing the absorption rate up from 10.0% in 4Q11 to 11.0% in 1Q12. Unsold stock in the quarter totaled 32,978 units compared to 31,369 units in 4Q11, reflecting a vacancy rate of 51.1% down from 52.4% in 4Q11. This increase in demand was due to buyer sentiment shifting towards purchasing a property rather than paying high rents, as well as the entry of primarily investment buyers from other tier I and II cities.

A total of 25 residential projects were launched across the city’s submarkets in 1Q12, offering 5,791 units in 1Q12 against 3,515 units in 4Q11. Meanwhile, eight residential projects comprising 1,009 units across different sub-markets were withdrawn from active stock as they were completely sold out.

Residential rents rose in 1Q12 due to the influx of people, mainly IT/ITES employees, into the city and are likely to increase further over the remainder of 2012 due to the expected improvement in IT/ITES employment.

Source: ET Realty in The Economic Times, Bangalore

Karnataka gears up for GIM 2012

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BANGALOARE: Representatives from the state government will visit various cities in Japan, the United States of America and Singapore from next week onwards, to hold Global Investors Meet 2012 Roadshows, said Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda at a road show here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister also announced that an ‘Aerospace Policy’ for the state would be announced soon in lines of other policies like the ICT policy version 2.0, Electronics Hardware Policy and more. “These policies have received a positive response and since Karnataka is the Aerospace hub of Asia, we shall release the aerospace policy as well,” Gowda said.
He also expressed his desire to see increased participation of the MSME sector and stated that he had advised the organisers to offer special benefits to participants from the sector. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani stated with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for his ministry in the budget, the state was the perfect destination for fast paced development.
“The CM has agreed to give 25 more acres for the Global Financial District in Devanahalli if needed, we wanted to build an international convention centre which will come up on 30 acres of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) land at a cost of Rs 100 crore and will be the biggest one in the country,” Nirani said.
The Global Investors Meet 2012 will be held on June 7 and 8 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on the outskirts of the city.
Honorary Consuls of Rwanda and Chairman of Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) Mohan Suresh signed a MoU with the government to have two separate pavilions at GIM for FISME and for Rwanda and East Africa.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/karnataka-gears-up-for-gim-2012/381839.html

Tremors lasted almost a minute: IISc study

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It is official.

The ground beneath Bengaluru shook for nearly one minute on Wednesday afternoon. Even while the final calculations on the magnitude of Wednesday’s tremor in Bengaluru are under way, the initial calculations showed that the city experienced tremors measuring 3 on the Richter scale.

The ‘Broad Band Centre’ (digital seismic activity monitoring centre) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) recorded the seismic activity in Bengaluru when the 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia. The Centre is capable of recording seismic activities in any part of the world. The recordings made available to Deccan Chronicle show the effect of the tremors felt in Bengaluru.

“The seismic activity has been recorded and calculations are under way. We have got the signature of tremor over Bengaluru which lasted for about 60 seconds. But mostly, we will not feel that tremor all the 60 seconds, but only for a few seconds during the peak,” said Dr K.S. Vipin, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering.

Dr Vipin also noted that depending on the structures on the ground, the effect of tremors can vary. For instance, the seismology centre inside IISc is situated on hard rock.

“The ground motion will not be recorded in higher magnitude if it is standing on rock. But if you are living close to a lake bed or unstable ground, the tremors are felt. That is why some areas in city reported tremors and some did not,” Dr Vipin added.

“We have been recording different earthquakes in our centre and we are currently analysing the cause and after-effects of the Indonesian earthquake. In the last three years, we have recorded many earthquakes for the purpose of study. The idea is to monitor the seismic zones around Bengaluru in a radius of 300 km since the ripple effects of any earthquake are felt even in areas situated far from the epicentre,” said Prof. M.R. Sitaram of the civil engineering department at IISc.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/tremors-lasted-almost-minute-iisc-study-011

Iron and steel not in focus at GIM 2012

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Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda flanked by Minister for Industries Murugesh Nirani releasing the Brouchre during the Launch of GIM Expo-2012 & Interactive Meet in Bangalore on 12 April, 2012.

Unlike the first edition of the Global Investors Meet (GIM) in 2010, when investments in iron and steel projects in the State accounted for about two-thirds of all proposed investments, the second edition, which is to be held in Bangalore from June 6 to June 8, will have low-key emphasis on these sectors.

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, speaking at the launch of the GIM Expo 2012 here on Thursday, listed the key sectors such as information technology, aerospace, precision engineering, automobile and auto components but refrained from mentioning anything about the two industries that were the highlight of the last event in 2010.

Mr. Sadananda Gowda said that the State had introduced policies for sectors such as information technology, biotechnology, audio visual and gaming, semiconductors, which have “established a healthy environment for these industries”.

“Other states,” he said, “have emulated Karnataka, which is why Karnataka is a gateway to India.”

Mr. Sadananda Gowda said that the Government had conducted road shows in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. “We will soon have road shows in Japan, Singapore and the U.S.,” he said. The expo at GIM 2012 will enable industries, small and big, to exhibit their products and services at the venue. “This will make it different from the previous edition,” he said.

There are to be 14 “focus pavilions,” including 12 industry-specific pavilions at GIM Expo 2012. About 600 exhibitors are likely to participate, covering an area of 20,000 sq m.

Murugesh R. Nirani, Minister for Large and Medium Industries, said the Government is ensuring the active participation of small companies at GIM 2012. He said road shows at Hubli, Mangalore and Belgaum were conducted with this in mind.

“We learnt from our lessons from the GIM of 2010,” said Additional Chief Secretary K. Jothiramalingam. He said that all industry associations, from every segment of industry, have been invited for the event, unlike the last time when a few missed out. The expo, he said, “provides a revenue model for the event”.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3308082.ece

Out of the rat race

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Peace and quiet: With the city inching closer, there is renewed interest in Hessarghatta’s preserved legacy of fields and green cover.

Hessarghatta with its vast grasslands is a haven for researchers and ornithologists, but the drying up of the lake has meant residents had to go into the city for work

A neighbourhood yet unborn, Hessarghatta is a rare area in the city that has managed to escape the invasion of skyscrapers and flyovers, at least for now. While a reason for this is its actual physical distance from the city centre, the other is what the locality has inherited from its history.

“During his reign, Achyuta Raya raised the Shivasamudra dam across the Arkavati at Hessarghatta, founded an ‘agrahara' and built a temple there the same year. This reservoir, widened in 1896, is the city's supply of regular piped water,” says an extract from A city yet unborn by Suryanath Kamath, a essay in Multiple city writings on Bangalore edited by Aditi De (2008).

“Government records from 500 years ago have mentioned Hessarghatta by the name ‘Shivana sagara agrahara'. Also, legend has it that sage Vyasa lived near a lake that was around 6 km from the village, and so the area came to be called Vyasaraghatta. This name, in common parlance and through regular colloquial usage, turned into Hessarghatta,” said S.T. Basavaraj, a long-time resident of the area.

Crucial inheritance

The lake, of course, was the most crucial inheritance. Performing the role of an enabler, it used to be the source of subsistence for the entire neighbourhood, apart from supplying drinking water to the city. Residents cultivated horticultural crops, mostly betel leaves. Completely dependent on the lake, the government invested in 16 ‘ilaakhas' (industries), mostly dairy farms, fisheries, poultry and seed farms.

“Earlier, people used to come here for a holiday because of the lake. Boating and the farms nearby attracted a lot of people from the city,” said Nagesh, an autorickshaw driver. With all these activities centred around water, when the Arkavati dried up, the entire locality suffered a setback.

Rich biodiversity

Nevertheless, it was not just the availability of water that attracted people to Hessarghatta. The area offered space for research, which is evident in the establishment of institutions such as the Institute of Horticultural Research.

It is also a haven for ornithologists. A report compiled by S. Subramanya titled ‘Biodiversity of Hessarghatta grasslands' lists around 133 species of birds along with 14 kinds of butterflies and 39 native and naturalised plant species.

Nurturing research in the arts and home to various dance forms and talent, Nrityagram, which literally means a dance village, is a gurukul tucked away in this remote neighbourhood.

Theme park?

But, for the original residents, the drying up of the lake meant going to the city in search of work.

Increased access in the form of regular buses has gradually brought the city closer. And with it comes renewed interest in this locality's preserved legacy of fields and green cover.

“The government has proposed to set up a theme park in the 300 acres of grasslands here. We are presently running a campaign against this. This grassland needs to be declared as a forest reserve as it is a very important catchment area for the lake and an ecological treasure in itself,” said Mahesh Bhat, a photographer and activist.

These are the first signs of the arrival of the city into Hessarghatta, but the regular commute to the city in search of work has not yet instilled in many residents a desire to migrate to the city. “People who have grown up here are the ones that are used to open fields, clean and fresh air and plenty of light. No amount of city attraction can make them want to move,” said Basavaraj.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3303649.ece

Eating Out: Aaja, aaja, khaaja

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Old Hindi film music and traditional Indian food go lovingly hand-in-hand at Khaaja Chowk

The elevator that would take me to Khaaja Chowk was temporarily suspended - pun intended. You know how gizmos these days are so unreliable, so I endure the three flights of stairs which is made easier by the friendly smile of the guard on the second floor and the gaily coloured pop art that welcomes you into Khaaja Chowk.

“Kahin pe nigahein, kahin pe nishaana”, I sang along with the olden goldie, settled down and took the place in.

The walls were covered with kitsch posters and banners with the mandatory grammatical errors and Indianisms. It keeps you engaged till they bring the mint khaaja. In the afternoon heat the refreshing drink was the water that flowed out of the rock and the manna that fell from the sky.

“Zara hatke, zara bachke, yeh hain Mumbai meri jaan”, I roll up my sleeves and ready, set, go - Khaaja Ki Chaat, the chaat platter arrives. And for all you immigrants who have complained about how chaat in Bangalore is never as good as it is back home, eat your heart out. You will write home about the kabab platter and you will tell maa-ji about the assorted pieces of succulent chicken and mutton marinated in masalas, yogurt ad cheese. The chicken burra and the kasturi chicken are my favourite, what's yours?

Hunt out the fig

“Musafir hoon yaaron, na ghar hain na thikana”, And if you are vegetarian, make sure you ask for the paneer, not because it is the only option you have, but because it is paneer brought in from Dilli, and it is soft and melts in your mouth like it is supposed to. The hariyali kabab is a cake of green peas, spinach and a layer of fig hidden somewhere in between.

“Yaaaa-hoo! Chaahe koi mujhe jungli kahein”, main course was brought in with a bowl of steaming, scented, Basmati rice leading the troop. To this add one spoon of Bibi ki daal and another of rara ghosht and then I take a deep breath and a break before I carry on. The yellow moong daal is perfect. And the rara gosht translates onto your plate as cuts of lamb cooked in a rich kheema gravy.

“Chal, chal, chal mere haathi, mere saathi”, loosen drawstrings and belt buckles as I prepare to demolish the chicken biryani that is cooked in a matka. The clay pot that it is cooked in lends the rice and meat that has been marinated in Lucknawi masalas an earthy flavour.

“Mera joota hai Japaani, yeh patloon inglishthani”. It is time for rabri khaaja or rocket kulfi — it doesn't matter what you choose, although I would recommend the rabri khaaja, lacchedar crunchy papdi, soaked in sugar syrup and topped with cold rabri. The kulfi is milky, sweet and tastes like pistachios and cream and it comes with a tacky, plastic flower which they let you keep!

“Acha ji mein haari chalo maan jao na”, I take my leave, the elevator is working, I take the stairs.

Visit Khaaja Chowk on the 3rd Floor, #276, 100 Feet Road, Defence Colony, Indiranagar. Call 40920585/87.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/Food/article3307124.ece

Many faces

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Lalu Prasad Shaw's works are clearly inspired by his life in Bengal and his fondness for the babus and beautiful women

There stands a Bengali babu smoking alone, lost in his thoughts. While his Bengali lady (could it be his wife) stands alone in another window of the world of the Bengali middle-class. The lady and the man are a part of artist Lalu Prasad Shaw's specialised collection of profiles of Bengali men and women.

Some of these profiles, largely done in tempera or pen and ink, are currently on display at Gallery Time and Space.

Each of his profiles, inspired by the Kalighat paintings, usually contains only one character, though sometimes he also paints couples.

If it's a woman, she seems to be waiting for something (or someone) as she combs her hair, runs her fingers through it or ties it up in a ribbon. She stands in her clean and bright cotton sari, reposing against a wall or a piece of furniture, watching a cat or a wilted vase of flowers or simply looks away wistfully.

She is always boxed into a frame standing, sitting or posing.

Her eyes are always averted, looking inwards, but never directly looking at the viewer. Once she even holds out an apple to her man and once she stands alone holding out the apple in her palm.

But the man is lost in his thoughts, smoking, eating a banana, sniffing a flower. And he is always standing with his umbrella in his hands.

Lalu's profiles exude simplicity and authenticity. His lines and colours are clean and bold. His lines contain the mood in their sparse strokes, especially around the eyes. With his use of bright tempera colours, the image simply soaks into the viewer's mind.

Lalu's works are inspired by his own life in Bengal and his fondness for the babus and the beautiful women. He looks out for beautiful women because he feels they become good subjects for his paintings.

He also believes that people should be able to view his work peacefully, without thinking too much about what they mean.

This is his first solo exhibition in Bangalore, though he has exhibited extensively in India and around the world since 1956. His works have been displayed in forums like second British Biennale in London, 1970, two Norwegian Print Biennales in 1974 and 1978, the seventh Paris Biennale in 1971 and the second Asian Art Biennale hosted by Bangladesh in 1984.

Lalu Prasad Shaw's works will be on display at Gallery Time and Space, 55, Lavelle Road, until April 14. For details, call 22124117.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/arts/art/article3307049.ece

Not quite a gentleman?

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Anil Abraham's Gentlemen has had several successful runs over a couple of years. This month it will be staged at Alliance Francaise

“Gentlemen”, written and directed by Anil Abraham, after successful runs in 2007, 2008 and 2010 will be staged at Ranga Shankara this month. The play, as critics point out, is “hybrid theatre and stand-up comedy”. The play is a humorous take on men's obsession with fallacies and phalluses. Anil adds: “‘Gentlemen' deals with issues that men hesitate to speak about. It is the vulnerable sensitive side of the male species. Gentlemen attempts to present the male view-point. It's time that men had their say!”

Within “Gentlemen” are smaller plays that comprise interesting characters and bizarre plots. “The plots range from a worried teenager discovering the joys of life to a senior citizen giving us his take on social issues today. In between we have a Malyali software engineer with bedroom blues and a Shivajinagar barber who lets us have a peek at his life. And for a surprise gender bender, there's a little twist at the end,” Anil explains.

Anil says the response to “Gentlemen” has been “tremendous across age groups and social strata. Taken at it's simplest it has been appreciated as an entertaining comic theatrical piece. At another level it deals with several issues with a huge dollop of humour.”

The cast includes Ashvin Matthew who is a stand-up comedian and theatre actor. Ajith Hande is a theatre and television actor as well as a filmmaker. Rajeev Ravindranathan has acted in “3 Idiots” and “Vettai”. Anil Abraham besides being a writer and theatre director is also a Professor at St. John's Medical College and a dermatologist.

“Gentlemen” will be performed at Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Vasanthnagar from April 13 to 15. Online bookings are available at www.bookmyshow.com and www.indianstage.in.

For details call 9845602265. Content is mature and entry is only for 18 years and above.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article3307300.ece

Going back to roots

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Earthy flavour: Our Native Village in Hessarghatta uses fresh produce grown by local farmers for their organic and vegan-friendly menu

Follow the strategically placed signboards along an adventurous 2-km stretch of winding mud roads and you reach your weekend getaway spot: Our Native Village in Hessarghatta.

The organic resort is completely devoid of grand embellishments, save for the greenery all around. Rooms are built of mud bricks and pavements are laid with stone.

“We are here more to please Mother Nature than the guests,” says general manager Vijay Neelakantan.

At the entrance, we were greeted by a member of the staff dressed in a traditional dhoti and kurta, bearing a glass of organic ‘panaka'. Made of ginger, jaggery and tamarind, it was refreshing after the ride we took.

‘COMPASSIONATE FOOD'

Open only to guests staying at the resort, the restaurant serves what they call “compassionate food”, using biogas as fuel. “Flavours emerge only when the food is cooked slowly and this is accomplished by our biogas cooking,” states Vijay.

Fruits and vegetables they use are grown within the premises by farmers from nearby villages and food is prepared in limited quantities.

“Our menu depends on what our farmers have on that particular day,” says the manager.

Lunch and dinner are served buffet style in earthen containers. All dishes are stored in the pots for only 20 minutes after which a fresh batch is put in.

The food prepared is also completely vegan friendly. Coconut milk serves as the base in most dishes instead of cow's milk.

A classic lunch menu here consists of soup, two varieties of salad, roti, rice, dal, three cooked vegetable dishes and one dessert.

The akki roti made of red rice with ‘gojju' had a novel taste. The pumpkin ‘kosambari' and papaya salad were also different takes on common dishes. The steamed red rice and pumpkin ‘ambat' were gentle on the palate, without losing out on the flavouring.

We ended the meal with cooling peanut curd rice.

The ‘lauki' or bottle gourd phirni for dessert reminded me of the warm, adequately sweetened ‘gasgase payasa' during festivals.

After a hot cup of herbal ginger tea and millet biscuits in the evening, we were ready to head back to the city.

SHARING RECIPES

But how does one consciously adopt an organic lifestyle, apart from occasional visits to resorts such as these? “We understand that our customers might need some guidance to do that. So, we share our recipes for them to try out at home themselves. None of our recipes are really ‘secret',” says Vijay.

Call 9880900024 or 28446616 for details and reservation.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3303634.ece

Spend 20 minutes a day on exercise

Wellness expert Aashu says elaborate fitness routines are difficult to adhere to. Set aside 20 minutes a day for an intense explosive workout if you are short of time, he suggests

Starting a fitness regimen may be easy, but sticking to it becomes well nigh impossible for many of us. Either the regimen is too difficult or takes up too much of our time. Ultimately , we give up and slip back to our old, unhealthy ways. It might be easier to motivate ourselves by targets that are easy to achieve. If you have set aside an hour for your fitness regimen at a gym some distance from your home, forget it, you will soon give it up - for you have to add driving time to it as well. That means that you have to set aside at least ten hours a week for your fitness regimen - and that 'can't be done' , you tell yourself . Mornings and evenings seem impossible too. Mornings are for rushing to work, and in the evening, you are either tired or trying to meet social engagements. Either way, it's a losing proposition. Set an easy goal This is where you have to make that effort to change - just a small one in the beginning , till it becomes a habit you can keep - and enjoy. A logical solution will be to kick start your exercise programme with a quick explosive workout for just 20 to 30 minutes. What you need is a small, dynamic and exhausting workout to get the results you seek.

The routine

Go in for a combination of three to four different movements of 25 reps to 50 reps per exercise. These exercises should be selected on the basis of whether you want to maintain or lose your weight. But try to complete your entire workout without a break. These 20 minutes will help you burn calories consistently, and you can perform the exercises in a room. You don't need a gym; neither do you need expensive gym equipment at home to implement this. You can try different sets of exercises from time to time, so that you are not bored with your routine either. This will keep you active through the year and the results you see in the mirror as you become toned and lose weight will be motivation enough.


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Spend-20-minutes-a-day-on-exercise/articleshow/12659135.cms

Projects worth 35,785L crore get cleared

BANGALORE: Forty-three projects assuring investment of Rs 35,785 lakh crore, including three SEZs near Bangalore, six sugar mills and two cement plants in north Karnataka, were cleared by the state highlevel clearance committee (SHLCC) headed by chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Friday

Industries minister Murugesh R Nirani told reporters on Friday that 4,83,021 persons would get employment when these projects become operational in the next three to four years.

The SHLCC cleared three SEZs in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts. While Australian aerospace giant Vyoneeshrosebank Technologies in collaboration with the Sunrise Interactive India is setting up its Rs 266 crore aerospace facility at Whitefield in Bangalore , Tata Consultancy Services plans to set up an IT/ITES SEZ at Tubarahalli in Bangalore Rural district at an investment of Rs 3,400 crore.


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Projects-worth-35785L-crore-get-cleared/articleshow/12659094.cms

We expect 5 lakh crore investment, says DV Sadananda Gowda

TUMKUR: CM DV Sadananda Gowda talked to TOI on Friday about his plans for the upcoming Global Investors' Meet in Bangalore in June.

What are your plans for GIM?

The state government is taking all steps to make it a success by holding roadshows in metropolitan cities like Mumbai , New Delhi and Kolkata as well as other cities. We planned roadshows abroad, but I cancelled them due to drought.

Who are the big ticket investors who have committed to come and sign MoUs?

The Singapore government has accepted our invitation and we expect a lot from it. Japanese companies have also agreed to come. The Singapore government and Japanese companies like Suzuki, Toyota and six to seven others are ready to sign MoUs. Reliance, Mahindra & Mahindra, ARL Media, Nandi Infrastructure and other major corporate houses will also participate. At the State High-Level Clearance Committee meeting in Bangalore, we cleared proposals of 43 industrialists who will sign MoUs.

How different will this GIM be from the earlier one?

In GIM-2011 , only Rs 3.92 lakh crore investment flowed into Karnataka. But in GIM-2012 , we expect Rs 5 lakh crore investments . Besides, we have already selected the industries and the land required by them will be given on the spot. We don't just give assurances to investors, but give facilities on the spot.

What were the lessons learnt from the GIM-2011 ?

We committed a lot of mistakes . We invited steel industries . This time, with the Supreme Court banning mining in Tumkur, Chitradurga and Bellary, we'll be cautious.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/We-expect-5-lakh-crore-investment-says-DV-Sadananda-Gowda/articleshow/12659061.cms

BDA revises site rates

Says move imperative to meet rising cost of land

In a move likely to affect citizens aspiring to own a site in the City, the Bangalore
Development Authority has revised the rate of its sites.

According to the civic agency, the sites measuring 20x30 square feet will be priced at 25 per cent of their present guidance value while 30x40 feet sites will cost 40 per cent of their guidance value.
The prices for sites measuring 40x60 feet and 50x80 feet have been revised to 70 pc and 90 pc of their guidance values, respectively. Hitherto, the BDA used to charge close to Rs 2,100 per sq metre on a flat charge basis.

In other words, a BDA site aspirant will have to shell out Rs 72 lakh for a 50x80 sq feet site whereas a 20x30 sq feet site will cost close to Rs 2.96 lakh.

According to the BDA resolution dated March 13, 2012, the revision of rates was imperative due to the rising cost of land and ‘increasing’ infrastructure projects handled by the Authority.

The revised rates are applicable to site aspirants who have paid their initial deposits, states the resolution.

“The move comes at a time when the BDA has got hordes of applications from citizens seeking sites. If these rates are applied, where will the common man go?” questioned B M Shivkumar, a RTI activist. According to Shivkumar, the Board resolution reflects the profit-making stance of the officials at the cost of the common man.
The resolution specifies that the rates will be applicable to the allottees who will be given sites at the Arkavathy Layout and Kempegowda Layout, henceforth. Bharath Lal Meena, Commissioner, BDA told Deccan Herald that the Board resolution will not effect ordinary citizens who will be alloted the sites in regular layouts.

“We are only hiking the charges for the stray sites in the City,” he said, thus contradicting the resolution.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241974/bda-revises-site-rates.html

High-level panel gives green signal to 43 projects


The State High-Level Clearance Committee (HLCC) chaired by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Friday gave in-principle approval to 43 industrial projects, including three Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and an aerospace project, attracting investments of about Rs 35,785 crore.


IT majors - Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) -  have come forward to set up SEZs at Anekal and Siddapura in south Bangalore, while Jubilant Life Sciences has come up with a proposal to set up a pharmaceutical SEZ in Nanjungud near Mysore. TCS is planning to invest Rs 3,400 crore on its SEZ.

“All these companies have their own land and they have only sought the government’s permission to implement their projects,” M Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner of Industries and Commerce Department, told reporters after the HLCC meeting at the chief minister’s home office. Sunrise Technologies has proposed a Rs 240-crore aerospace project in Whitefield, he added.

Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said the HLCC cleared nine proposals in the automobiles sector, including one by Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Ltd to establish castings and machining of engine parts, adjacent to its existing plant in Bidadi industrial area in Ramanagar district at a cost of Rs 750 crore.

Cement units

The meeting cleared three cement manufacturing projects, including five-million-tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity plant at Sedam in Gulbarga by Reliance Cementation Ltd at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore and 3.5 MTPA plant of Shaasta Cement Corporation at Chincholi in Gulbarga.

In the manufacturing sector, JSW Steel Ltd has come forward with a Rs 4,190.40-crore proposal to set up a “Cold Rolled Annealed and Skin Passed Coils” plant at Sandur in Bellary district.

Patel Engineering Ltd has proposed a Rs 2,025-crore integrated township project at Anekal. This apart, five IT parks with a total investment of Rs 10,184 crore were also cleared, the minister said.

Bangalore Rural and Urban districts have attracted the highest number of investments. While 11 projects with an investment of about Rs 13,525 crore have gone to Bangalore Rural, the Bangalore Urban district has garnered six projects with a total investment of Rs 6,727 crore. Yadgir district has attracted the least investment of Rs 50 crore. Of 30 districts, only 16 districts have attracted investments in the 27th HLCC, the minister said.

Quick clearance

Earlier, chief minister said he had directed the officials to issue a government order for the projects cleared by the HLCC, within 24 hours. “All our neighbouring states are aggressively wooing investors. So we should not lag behind. Steps should be taken to clear industry projects as early as possible,” he added.

Nirani to tour Japan, Singapore

Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, along with a team of officials, will go on five-day tour of Singapore and Japan from April 15 to woo investors for the second edition of the Global Investors Meet to be held in June.Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda was earlier scheduled to travel along with Nirani. But he dropped his tour plan citing severe drought in the State.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241955/high-level-panel-gives-green.html

Non-starter companies asked to return land

Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani on Friday said the State government has started taking back land from companies which have failed to initiate the process of setting up industries as per the agreement.

Addressing reporters after the 27th State High-Level Clearance Committee (HLCC) meeting, he said the allotment of about 480 acres have been cancelled and land taken back as the companies failed to set up industries.

“The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has started issuing notices to companies that have not taken up work to set up shops even one year after the allotment of land,” the minister added.

As per the KIADB rules, a land allottee should commence the process of setting up the industry within 12 months from the date of allotment. The time limit to complete the project will depend on the type of industry.

“The government will not allow misuse of land in the name of industries. Those who have failed to utilise the land have been asked to surrender it. Action is being taken against those who are sitting idle on the allotted land,” he stated.

He said about 38 per cent of the companies which had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State government during Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2010 have backed out citing various reasons, including ban on iron ore mining, litigation and economic recession.

About 62 per cent of investment commitments have materialised and they are at various stages of implementation. About 38 projects have been completed, he added.

Many big ticket projects like mega steel plants by Posco have failed to take off due to controversies over land acquisition.

The world’s largest steel manufacturer ArcellorMittal has not started the work on its proposed steel plant in Bellary as it has not found suitable location for captive mining. The government has already handed over the land to ArcellorMittal for setting up the plant, according to official sources.

The government had signed MoUs with 389 companies for a total investment of Rs 3.92 lakh crore during GIM 2010. In the GIM-II scheduled for June 7 and 8 this year, the government is aiming the investments worth Rs five lakh crore.

Asked about Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India criticising the Industries Department for creating regional imbalance by not encouraging investors to go to north Karnataka, the Minister said he has directed the officials to give an appropriate reply to the CAG.

Simplifying rules

Nirani said the government was planning to simplify the procedure for clearing investment proposals by amending the Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act, 2002.

The proposed amendment will enable the government to immediately approve mega projects without waiting for the quarterly HLCC meeting.

Besides, a new system will be put in place stipulating the time frame for various statutory agencies to give approvals for industry projects. If an approval is delayed beyond the stipulated time, it will be deemed to have been given, he explained.

K Jothiramalingam, Secretary to Industries and Commerce Department said the proposed amendment will also enable the deputy commissioners of districts and the State-level single window agency to clear bigger projects. Presently, a DC is empowered to clear investment proposals worth up to Rs three crore.

The single window agency can approve a project worth up to Rs 50 crore.

The amendment will enable increase this limit to a maximum Rs 15 crore and Rs 250 crore to DCs and single window agencies, respectively, he pointed out.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241954/non-starter-companies-asked-return.html

Gold medallists vow to help farmers

It was the day to reap the fruits of their hard work. The top gold medallists at the 46th convocation of the University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS) say they aim to help farmers, many of them their own family members, to have a better occupation.

Aditya K S and Rani A T, who won 10 gold medals each, belong to the families of farmers.

“We know how arduous farming is. We know the pain a farmer undergoes to grow a crop. We want to ease their burden and make farming easier for them,” they said.

The students won gold medals for their commendable performance in BSc (agriculture).
Aditya’s father Narayan Rao is a farmer. The family hails from Sringeri, and grows arecanut on a two-and-a-half acre plot.

But getting agriculture labourers is a challenge, he says. Also, there is the fear of the crop catching some disease. He had secured 87 percent in II PUC and the temptation to join engineering or medical courses was irresistible. “But I took up agriculture for the love of it,” he added.

Rani, a native of Mandya, said that she did not expect to win 10 gold medals. She plans to pursue PhD.

Other gold medallists

Seven: Kavitha C (B Tech-Food Science and Technology);
Five: Yashodha (MSc-agri); Parande Pradeep Kumar Jagannath (M Sc-agri); Haritha Bellinedi (M Sc-agri).

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241957/gold-medallists-vow-help-farmers.html

Karnataka gears up for GIM 2012

BANGALOARE: Representatives from the state government will visit various cities in Japan, the United States of America and Singapore from next week onwards, to hold Global Investors Meet 2012 Roadshows, said Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda at a road show here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister also announced that an ‘Aerospace Policy’ for the state would be announced soon in lines of other policies like the ICT policy version 2.0, Electronics Hardware Policy and more. “These policies have received a positive response and since Karnataka is the Aerospace hub of Asia, we shall release the aerospace policy as well,” Gowda said.
He also expressed his desire to see increased participation of the MSME sector and stated that he had advised the organisers to offer special benefits to participants from the sector. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani stated with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for his ministry in the budget, the state was the perfect destination for fast paced development.
“The CM has agreed to give 25 more acres for the Global Financial District in Devanahalli if needed, we wanted to build an international convention centre which will come up on 30 acres of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) land at a cost of Rs 100 crore and will be the biggest one in the country,” Nirani said.
The Global Investors Meet 2012 will be held on June 7 and 8 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on the outskirts of the city.
Honorary Consuls of Rwanda and Chairman of Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) Mohan Suresh signed a MoU with the government to have two separate pavilions at GIM for FISME and for Rwanda and East Africa.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/karnataka-gears-up-for-gim-2012/381839.html

3,000-year-old site in Bangalore is history

An eerie silence greets the chance visitor to Chikkajala Fort. The overgrown weeds and dilapidated structures will probably remind you of a set put up by an art director for a horror flick. But then, even Kannada filmmakers would possibly not have heard of these ruins on the outskirts of Bangalore.

The current two-acre fort, believed to have been built more than 200 years ago, needs immediate attention of the authorities concerned. The fort consists of a dilapidated dwelling and a huge hall supported by number of stone pillars. One has to muster enough courage to enter the hall because it may come crashing any moment.

It would also, therefore, be no surprise that there is no one to look after the fort except a priest who performs pooja at the Hanuman temple situated in the middle of the fort. There is not much to write home about the temple either. Though its gopuram is intricately sculptured, the day is not far off when it too may become dust.
“There are many people, including the revenue department, who claim ownership of this fort. There was one woman who had locked the doors of the fort claiming that it was her ancestors’ property. The gates remained under lock and key for quite some time. Those were thrown open finally when the police and revenue authorities intervened,’’ narrates A Ramasanjeevaiah, the priest.

On paper, the Chikkajala fort is described as a pre-historic site by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It’s a different story that there are no ASI signages to be seen around. Burial grounds in the area had prompted historians and archaeologists to date the fort to 1000 BC. Even the remains of the pre-historic era are now gone.

The tourism department had promised to take over the Chikkajala fort a few years ago, but there hasn’t been any headway. Except for a token whitewashing of the Hanuman temple, there are no official efforts to be seen. There is no one around even to clear the weeds, forget about renovating or repairing the dilapidated hall and dwellings within the fort premises. The pushkharini (pond) looks like a garbage dump.

“We have requested the state government on many occasions to take measures for the development of the fort, but in vain. Recently, the villagers joined hands to renovate the Chennakeshava temple, situated a few hundred metres away from the fortwithout government support. I think it is better for the villagers to join hands for the development of the fort instead of running from pillar to post for government aid,’’ says a resident of Chikkajala. Even this temple, built by Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, is believed to be 950 years old.

If this is not bad news enough, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has acquired a portion of the fort land to facilitate widening of the National Highway 7. It is believed that NHAI authorities have deposited Rs 84 lakh with the taluk office as compensation for the land acquired. With the drain work and widening of the road still incomplete, the fort looks like an open ground. Yes, even the ruins are disappearing.

Though no one has the guts to enter the fort for carrying out any activity, nefarious or otherwise, residents want the revenue department to hasten the construction of the fort wall and put up a gate as early as possible. “As of now the fort has electricity, but water supply is yet to be provided. I have requested the gram panchayat officials to supply borewell water,’’ says
Ramasanjeevaiah.

There is no published literature on the fort, he says, adding that he knew that his grand-father and father too had worked as priests at the temple.

There are no records, no ruins. And in the end, not even history might remain.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_3000-year-old-site-in-bangalore-is-history_1675707

Rs35,000-cr investment to create 4 lakh+ jobs

Setting the tone for the forthcoming Global Investors Meet (GIM) that will be held in Bangalore in June, the state government on Friday cleared investment proposals of Rs35,785 crore, including three Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Bangalore and Mysore.

Murugesh Nirani, minister for medium and large industries, said the proposals have a potential to provide employment for 4.83 lakh people.

The 27th State High Level Clearance Committee chaired by chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda with ministers Nirani and Raju Gowda held a marathon meeting with business delegates for four hours to clear the projects.

The committee cleared five IT parks, with an investment of `10,184 crore, which will create 4.14 lakh jobs.
`5 lakh cr target

Nirani maintained that the state government has an ambitious target of attracting `5 lakh crore investments in urban development, infrastructure, housing, power, agriculture, tourism, automobile, aerospace engineering and IT/BT to provide employment opportunities to over 10 lakh people.

“Apart from these, the government will conduct road shows in Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai. We were successful in attracting more investors to the road show,” Nirani said.

Nirani announced that he, along with a delegation of ministers, will leave on a five-day tour of Japan and Singapore on April 15 (Chief minister Gowda, who was supposed to accompany him, had called it off in the wake of criticism by former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa).
The date of the tour was set three months ago. We are taking this trip to attract more investments, stressed Nirani.
Senior officials too will head the high-level delegation to represent the state in Taiwan and USA and hold talks with the business community there to woo investments, he added.

Throwing light on the previous GIM, minister Nirani explained that about 62% of the projects have taken off and 38% of the projects backtracked due to land problems, recession and Supreme Court’s guidelines. However, 62% of realisation of projects is quite satisfying, he maintained.

No hassles for investors

K Jyothiramalingam, principal secretary, commerce and industries explained that, in an attempt to create a single-window agency for investors, the state government is bringing an amendment to the Felicitation Act.

After holding two rounds of talks, suggestions have been sent to the Law and Parliamentary Board.

To streamline the process, the chief minister had directed the district collector to clear the proposals up to `15 crore, said Nirani.
Likewise, industries minister can now clear projects up to `250 crore; the earlier limit was `50 crore. Projects above `250 crore investments would come to the chief minister’s table, he added.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_rs35000-cr-investment-to-create-4-lakh-jobs_1675710

Nearly half of Rs 10 lakh cr investments in Karnataka non-starters (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242075/nearly-half-rs-10-lakh.html)

As much as 43 per cent of Rs 10 lakh crore investments in about 1,624 projects in Karnataka remain non-starters, Assocham today said.

The study by the apex industry body said almost 57 per cent of projects under implementation are at the MoU stage and a lot more needs to be done to facilitate them.With a share of over Rs 3.84 lakh crore, manufacturing sector accounts for the lion’s share of 39 per cent of total live investments.

This is followed by services (24.6 per cent), real estate (15.2 per cent) and electricity (14.1 per cent), the strategy paper (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242075/nearly-half-rs-10-lakh.html#) titled 'Achieving Higher Growth in Karnataka' released by it said.

It was jointly released by Ravi Sanareddy, J Crasta, chairman and co-chairman, Assocham Southern Regional Council and national secretary general of the organisation D S Rawat."...Karnataka accounted for 7.1 per cent of total investments made by both government and private sectors in India as on December 2011," the study said.

While the private sector contributed about 55 per cent of total investments, the government accounted for the remaining 45 per cent, according to the strategy paper.

Having grown at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 8.41 per cent between 2004-05 and 2009-10, the State Domestic Product (SDP) grew from over Rs 166 lakh crore to over Rs 249 lakh crore during the period, it said.

The state, however, lags behind Andhra Pradesh (8.7 per cent), Kerala (8.7 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (9.7 per cent) in terms of growth rate during the period under review.

The services sector accounted for over 55 per cent of SDP of Karnataka in 2009-10, clocking a CAGR of over 10 per cent during the course of five years, Assocham paper said.

Besides, agriculture and allied activities contributed about 15 per cent of State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP), registering (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242075/nearly-half-rs-10-lakh.html#) a CAGR of about four per cent, while industrial sector accounted for over 28 per cent and expanded by over eight per cent CAGR.

These crèches mind your kid 24/7

BANGALORE: How often did you have to rush back from work to pick up your child from the play home/creche?

When Sucheta Madhusudan, an MBA, left her job because she couldn't work late hours - she had to fetch her child from the creche at 6pm - she decided to set up a 24/7 creche.

"I didn't want women who studied hard to get their dream jobs to throw it all away because there was no one to take care of the child. My promotions were getting affected because I had to log out at 6pm to fetch my baby from the creche. I decided to start a creche where women could drop off their children and pick them up any time of the day," she told STOI.

Bangalore's new-age creches cater to parents who travel and do night shifts. These facilities allow parents to drop off their children even late at night.

Says Ananthalakshmi Sridhar Kadambi, who had to spend several weeks in hospital to take care of her father-in-law: "I could not take my two-year-old, Abhinav, to the hospital; nor could I leave him at home. Kidspace came in handy. There were times when I picked up my baby late at night on my return from the hospital."

Kidspace, opened at Uttarahalli eight months ago by Sucheta, caters largely to BPO couples. "They come in at 9pm and pick up their children the next morning.

Among her clients is a couple studying after marriage. "During exam time, they leave the child here. I charge them on an hourly basis. I know there are thousands of women like me who had to quit their job after a child. I don't want that to happen. It's important for a woman to pursue her career" she says.


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/These-crches-mind-your-kid-24/7/articleshow/12669144.cms

At last, Tagore Circle underpass opens for public

The much-delayed Tagore Circle underpass in Basavanagudi was thrown open to public on Saturday.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/04/15/tagore-circle-underpass.jpg

Work on the 378.39-metre long and 100-foot wide underpass was launched in 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore. The cost, however, esclated to Rs 26 crore with the project delayed by 16 months. Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who inaugurated the underpass, said the government would see to it that all the projects were completed within two years of their launch. The chief minister said five signal-free corridors were coming up in the City at an estimated cost of Rs 426 crore. In addition, 26 flyovers were being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,527 crore. “The work on eight has already been completed and that on 11 are underway. The rest are in tendering stage,” he said. Gowda said the Palike would undertake projects worth Rs 2,126 crore this year and the government was committed to ensure timely completion of the projects.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242174/at-last-tagore-circle-underpass.html

CM plans ‘big’ for city’s development

BANGALORE: Following his earlier statement to inspect projects in the city once a week, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday, inaugurated three projects in the city, which are likely to solve traffic problems in Veerannapalya, Kalyanagar and Basavanagudi. “The aim of these visits is to inspect and exert pressure on the officials to implement the projects on time. Bangalore is growing, it needs fast development,” Gowda said.
He inaugurated a grade separator at Kalyanagar Junction which connects Hebbal with K R Puram, built at a cost of Rs 37.65 crore and another at Veerannapalya Junction, built at a cost of Rs 36.28 crore, work for both of which was started in November 2009.
The Tagore Circle underpass in Basavangudi, a long-delayed project, was also inaugurated on Saturday by Sadananda Gowda along with Home Minister R Ashok and Mayor Sharadamma.
“There are 26 flyover/underpass/grade separator projects planned. Eight of these have been opened for public, while work is underway in 11 more projects,” Gowda said.
He added that the tender process for the remaining seven projects would be started soon.
These projects are being taken up at a total cost of Rs 1,527 crore by both Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).
Gowda also stated that work on the Signal-Free Corridor project announced in this year’s budget would be completed in the next two years.
“A total amount of Rs 426 crore has been announced towards signal free (corridors) projects, pending with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, currently estimated at the cost of Rs 2,020-crore,” Sadananda Gowda said.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/CM-plans-%E2%80%98big%E2%80%99-for-city%E2%80%99s-development/382411.html

Entire ORR to be made signal-free, promises DVS

The entire Outer Ring Road (ORR) stretch will be made signal-free to ease traffic congestion, said Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda here on Saturday. Inaugurating the Tagore Junction, Kalyananagar and Veerannapalya Junction underpasses, he said the government had planned 26 underpasses in the city. Of them, eight have been completed, 11 are under progress and seven are at the planning stage.

Once the flyovers and underpasses at Nayandahalli, Kanteerava Studios, BEL Circle, Kuvempu Circle and Bhadrappa Layout get over, these stretches would be turned signal free, he said. Tagore junction underpass has been constructed at a cost of Rs 28 crore, while Veerannapalya and Kalyananagar underpasses contribute to the seamless traffic on ORR between K.R. Puram and Hebbal. Kalyananagar underpass has been completed at Rs 38.65 crore, while Veerannapalya Junction underpass has been built at Rs 36.28 crore.

Source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/entire-orr-be-made-signal-free-promises-dvs-550

Hoping the PRR is well planned by making it Signal free Corridor from initial stage itself.

In the heart of city, but not happy anymore

The city is growing and one of the areas that has borne the brunt of its “progress” is Wellington Street, once popular because of its proximity to Richmond Road. People like Ashley Mascarenhas, who moved here 10 years ago to live within easy reach of some of the best schools in the city and other conveniences, are not so happy anymore.

The rising pollution, heaps of garbage, congestion and parking problems are making their lives miserable. “We decided to live here because it gave us easy access to offices and the best of schools which the Cantonment that Richmond Road is a part of, is famous for. But the novelty of living in the heart of the city has worn off as it has grown too crowded with even some homes giving way to commercial units," rues Ms Macarenhas, cursing the day the family decided to make the shift to Wellington Street.

While the people here do have good transportation and civic amenities like enough water for their needs, they have lost the peace and quiet the area once boasted off, despite being so close to the commercial hubs of M G Road and Brigade Road. So congested are the narrow lanes like Wellington Street today that there is virtually a battle for car parking on them , forcing the residents to be on alert at all times to make sure that their right of way out of their homes and apartments is not blocked in the process.

"My son has made it a habit to chase away the cars and other vehicles that try to park in front of our house. We also need to engage a security guard to ensure that entry and exit points of our building are not blocked. “We have a fight on our hands with strangers almost every day as a result," adds Ms Mascarenhas, revealing that at times the parking is so haphazard that the children get late for school. The mushrooming of restaurants also keeps the people up till late as the traffic doesn't seem to stop well into the night, she says.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/heart-city-not-happy-anymore-544

Moily stirs debate on IIT for Karnataka

BANGALORE: The debate on having an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Karnataka was sparked off again, with Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily stating that provisions exist under the 12th five-year plan (2012-17) to setup an IIT in Sir M Visvesvaraya’s hometown Muddenahalli.
“We are trying to set up an IIT in Muddenahalli as there are plans under the 12th five-year plan. Let us see what happens,” Moily told reporters on the sidelines of a function here on Saturday.
Moily was responding to a petition on the same from MLC Dr M R Doreswamy.
“Not having an IIT in the state is a blow to the hopes and aspirations of its people. Karnataka offers peaceful and unhindered conditions and resources. Not only will it fulfil higher education, but will also satiate requirements for technological developments,” Dr Doreswamy said in his petition.
This is the second attempt by Moily to pursue with the Centre the sanctioning of an IIT to Karnataka. In January last, he had said he would try to obtain IIT status to University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore, after Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor Dr N Prabhu Dev had proposed the same to Moily.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/moily-stirs-debate-on-iit-for-karnataka/382421.html

City’s Master Plan 2035 eyes vertical growth

The Comprehensive Development Plan or the Master Plan 2035, which charts out the growth of Bangalore, will concentrate on vertical development.

BDA sources said that the BDA Board had recently decided that vertical development would be the mantra for the City’s growth.

The plan for putting an end to horizontal expansion of the City, however, will not be extended to private developers. “While authorised BDA layouts will have vertical development, private developers cannot be forced into the concept as most people who wish to own a site can only go through these parties,” said the source.

BDA has decided to build townships on a pilot basis in the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout. The move has now received Cabinet assent, thus ensuring that all other layouts will also be converted into townships.

This time, BDA is likely to issue notices to all the civic agencies for incorporating their needs in the master plan, keeping in mind the growth of the City.

Currently, nine companies have been shortlisted by the BDA to prepare the Master Plan 2035.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242376/citys-master-plan-2035-eyes.html

Coffee plants flower after 4 yrs

Pre-monsoon showers bring smile on growers’ faces

With coffee flowers in full bloom in many parts of the district, coffee growers are quite elated.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/04/15/coffee-plantations.jpg

Pre-monsoon showers that were recorded in and around the district this time, has raised hopes of the growers to get a bumper yield.

For, during the last four years, the district did not witness pre-monsoon showers that help plants to bloom with flowers thereby promising better yield.

Major coffee belts - Chikmagalur, Madikeri and Hassan districts - have received mild pre-monsoon showers and the plants are in full bloom.

A strong smell of the coffee flowers is hard to ignore in these stretches and this gives every reason for growers to be cheerful.

“After four long years, we have received pre-monsoon showers in Mallandur, Byaruvalli and surrounding areas in Chikmagalur taluk. Coffee plants did not bloom in the last four years. But this year, we can expect a good yield,” said Coffee Growers Welfare Forum district committee president H R Uttam Gowda.

One more round of showers will help the plants to bear fruits.

This will also check pest attack on plants, observe growers here.

However, rainfall received is quite scattered around the district.

At least 40 per cent of the plantations have not bloomed and the growers have kept their fingers crossed. In Chikmagalur district, Magundi, Mallandur, Mudigere, Aldur, Balehonnur and the hilly areas have received good amount of intermittent rains. But Gonibeedu, Jannapur, Baskla, Doddanagudde Estate and Makonahalli in the district still wait for the showers.

The amount of rainfall is so poorly scattered that Balehonnur has received good showers while the neighbouring Jayapura is not so lucky.

Similar is the picture in Sakleshpur, Ballupet, Hanbalu, Belur, Nagenahalli and Cheekanahalli in Hassan district.

Only 50 per cent of coffee growing areas in Madikeri have witnessed showers. But growers in Suntikoppa are happy that their plants have received sufficient showers.

Karnataka Planters’ Association president Marvin Rodrigues observed that growers need not be worried this time as there have been good pre-monsoon showers.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242347/coffee-plants-flower-4-yrs.html

State’s second sloth bear sanctuary

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2012/4/16/16come.jpg

BANGALORE: If everything goes well, Karnataka is likely to get the second exclusive sanctuary for sloth bears.
The proposed sanctuary is coming up in Handigundi Forest in Ramanagaram taluk.
Called ‘Handigundi Sloth Bear Sanctuary’, it will be spread over 4,585 hectares.
The State’s first sloth bear sanctuary is at Daroji near Hampi in Bellary district.
Proposal Sent
The Ramanagaram Division of the Forest Department has already sent a proposal to the State Government seeking announcement of the State’s sloth bear sanctuary in the division.
The Government, in turn, has sought a census of sloth bears in the entire block.
The department is now carrying out the census, of these sloth bears, which will come as handy for the government to declare it as sanctuary.
Location and Number of Bears
The proposed sanctuary is situated 3.5 km from the Ramanagaram town and near the busy Mysore-Bangalore State Highway.
According to an estimate, there are around 100 to 120 sloth bears in the Handigundi block.
Besides, the department has recorded the movement of sloth bears in Bannatmari, Tenginkal and Savandurga forests.
Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of Ramanagaram Division P S Ranavat told Express that the rockstrewn area in and around Ramanagaram town is best suited for the sloth bears.
“Besides, there are shrubs on the hillocks which are safest for these hairy animals.
The area in Handigundi Forest is similar to Daroji in Bellary district and because of this reason, there are sufficient number of sloth bears in the entire block.” Ranavat said the department has, so far, not conducted any study to notice the striking similarity between Daroji and Handigundi except for the common features like strewn rocks, shrubs and umpteen number of hillocks.
For all these reasons, the sloth bears feel it safe to be in the rocky area and lead a care-free life without any intervention of humans.
Once the government declares Handigundi Forest as Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Ranavat said, “There will be a huge scope for the management of bear population in the whole of sanctuary.
The other advantage is that the sanctuary will come under the direct supervision of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden and there will be chances of getting additional funds from the government for conservation activities.” Apart from sloth bears, this area has a good number of elephants and in fact, the Elephant Corridor passes through the Handigundi Forest.
Sometimes, the elephants which pass through this forest reach Bannerghatta Biological Park.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/state%E2%80%99s-second-sloth-bear-sanctuary/382736.html

Vulture extinction: Drug used on cattle blamed

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2012/4/16/16vul.jpg

BANGALORE: In a bid to save the Long-billed Vultures in the newly declared Vulture Sanctuary at Ramadevarabetta in Ramanagaram district, the Forest Department has requested the Department of Veterinary Sciences to stop administering Diclofenac vaccination for the cattle in the district.
It is interesting to note that the district has two sanctuaries (one proposed)- Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary and Handigundi Sloth Bear Sanctuary.
Taking note of the vultures’ population in and around Ramadevarabetta, the State Government, after receiving a proposal from the Forest Department, has declared it as a Vulture Sanctuary.
The total area of the sanctuary is around 3.45 sq km.
In Ind i a , Longbilled Vultures are only sighted in Ramadevarabetta near Ramanagaram and in Himachal Pradesh.
The peculiarity of this bird is that it feeds only on carcasses of animals.
Since most of the cattle are vaccinated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these vultures get affected by Diclofenac.
Many naturalists have expressed their anxiety over the death of vultures after feeding on carcasses containing Diclofenac.
The Forest Department has requested the veterinarians of Ramanagaram District not to administer Diclofenac vaccine for the cattle as it is causing death of endangered Long-billed vultures in the region.
The department has taken up the awareness drive rigorously in all the villages in and around Ramadevarabetta so that they do not dump the carcasses openly, said P S Ranavat, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Ramanagaram Division.
He told Express that the department was in the process of preparing a management plan which will be finalised soon.
The plan also includes alternative feeding for the vultures.
Plans are afoot to have ‘vulture restaurants’ near the Ramadevarabetta.
The department is planning to take the help of the Bombay Natural History Society which has done a detailed study on a variety of vultures, he added.
When contacted, a bird watcher said whatever needs to be done has to be done at the earliest as the population of Long-billed Vultures is dwindling.
They have sighted around 10-12 vultures at Ramadevarabetta.
Since these birds feed on the carcasses of animals, it is to be seen whether the alternative method of feeding will attract them.
He recalls that there were more than 100 vultures in the whole area and now its population is in double digits.
“The future of these birds is in our hands.
Any conservation activity yields success if there is involvement of local population.
Taking the help of naturalists, the department can definitely spread the message of ‘No Diclofenac’ at least in this district.
Once the population is wiped out, it is very difficult to get them,” he warned.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/vulture-extinction-drug-used-on-cattle-blamed/382735.html

Just back from the 3 days trip to Bangalore-Mysore.

Enjoyed the trip completely.

Thanks a lot to Akash and Nandan.

We were able to visit only half the places what Akash said. We started late from Bangalore itself (slept 8.30 AM :(). Had breakfast at hotel(lodge) itself.

:lol: CP, to avoid going through "Naraka", take a detour from Chamarajpet towards Bull temple road and head towards NICE Road. http://maps.google.co.in/maps?saddr=jh+army+stores&daddr=12.9354712,77.5604502+to:12.9323047,77.544915+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=12.94601,77.563906&spn=0.049102,0.077162&sll=12.936056,77.539101&sspn=0.024552,0.038581&geocode=FfYbxgAdHyKgBA%3BFS9hxQAdgnqfBCnhwa4VJz6uOzFETLhcSi3_Cw%3BFdBUxQAd0z2fBCnFpAYfOj6uOzFBR0hzNB-qoA%3BFfBsxQAd7BCfBA&t=h&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1,2&z=14

I took printout of this route and took Elevated Expressway and Nice road to reach Mysore road (and also while returning from Mysore also). So I really dont know what u people were saying as 'Naraka'. The drive to Mysore and return was smooth(except for the speedbreakers out of nowhere :bash:)

Stopped only at Maddur(road side shop only) for vada.

Visited Srirangapatna - Tippu Death Place and Fort.

I have updated the route check
http://i44.tinypic.com/10r90et.jpg

Took this route in the morning but while returning at night missed it.

Places visited at Mysore

Jagmohan Palace and Art Gallery
Mysore Zoo
Mysore Palace
Karanji Lake
Mysore Palace lighting
Chamundi Hill


Parents were too tired to go to Brindhavan gardens.

Couldnt find time to go to Mysore Museum and Rail Museum.

Had lunch at Guru residency and dinner at Kamat Lokaruchi.

All the way my parents were wondering how I know the places(hotels, maddur vada) and the routes(expressway and inside mysore). Thanks a lot to Akash and Nandan

Thanks to Google Maps/GPS as well. I never asked anyone on any route throughout the trip. Infact while returning to hotel at nights, I guided auto wala(used auto to go to places inside Bangalore) to reach the hotel we stayed at Bangalore.

Took few pics. will share soon..

Nice :) ....The heat was terrible in Mysore on sunday..:ohno:

From Elevated Expressway lay-bye

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Views from Ramada Hotel, Shivaji Nagar

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Mantri

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Took Karnataka Holidays Package (http://karnatakaholidays.net/city_holidays_bangalore.htm) for sight seeing at Bangalore.

They didnt follow the schedule as per the website. Stopped at a road side hotel for breakfast :bash: :bash:

Stopped at Mysore Silk Mart store and Karnataka Emporium for about 1 hour which is completely waste of time. Cave temple also could have been avoided.

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Breakfast Hotel :bash:

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Bull Temple

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Sri Gavigandhareshwaraswamy Temple

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Good pics yaar... :)

Tippu Summer Palace

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Inside KSTDC volvo

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

xLNNhGTrouA

LalBagh

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

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By ceeznic2 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ceeznic2) at 2012-04-16

Some pics posted at Cityscapes thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=327688&page=136) as well

Some pics posted at Cityscapes thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=327688&page=136) as well

Beautiful - but what about these hoardings? Add to it some marriage flower boards?
Come on i can even see some wires and some slum kinda place for security

Bangalore, the dosa destination

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2012/4/17/DOSAI.jpg

BANGALORE: Ask the waiter for the day’s fare, refer to the menu or glance at the old wooden board listing the restaurant’s specials for the day. It generally starts with the idli and ends with coffee/tea, through the kesari bath, khara bath and the dosas. Though not on the top of the list, the dosa today has become Bangalore’s top-of-the-mind dish.
The dosa varieties in Bangalore’s restaurants were generally limited to three. First, the generic masala dosa, which is essentially a crisp golden brown roll, with a fluffy and perforated interior which is plastered with a red, fiery paste and filled with potato, onion curry. Secondly, the plain dosa, which is essentially a masala dosa devoid of the filling and then the khali dosa, with neither smearing nor filling but a white, fluffy perforated dish, which is served in pairs. A few restaurants also offered the paper masala dosa, which is an oversized variant that leaves everyone staring at the table that has ordered it. Then, along came the set dosas, which always come in threes, the onion dosa and the rava dosa. A few restaurants then made some cautious innovations, not in the sacred base, but in the filling, with green peas and cashew nuts joining the potato-onion curry. The sagu, a vegetable gravy, was a later innovation. And then the Davangere benne (butter) dosa which invaded Bangalore’s restaurants, became the new rage.
The dosa has become such an obsession for the Bangalorean that there are restaurants that beckon patrons by professing to specialise just in this famous dish. And now, roadside vendors too have got into the act with carts offering 99 varieties of dosas, prompting a wise soul to remark why they couldn’t still think up of the 100th recipe.
The dosas now come in mindboggling variants like Chinese and Mexican and are as famous for these innovations as they are for their accompaniments with one shop even offering chicken curry.
And among the dosas, it’s the crisp, crunchy, golden brown masala dosa that decides the restaurant’s worth. The outlet may make the best idlis or coffee, but its self-esteem relies heavily on the quality of masala dosas it tosses up, with old timers swearing by their brand and having their own opinions of the others.
Today, for the Bangalorean, having a masala dosa is not as easy as heading for his favourite neighbourhood restaurant and digging into the roasted roll. There are as many restaurants as there are varieties of the famous dish.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/bangalore-the-dosa-destination/382842.html

Foundation laid for Multi-Skill Centre

GULBARGA: Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission of India Montek Singh Ahluwalia laid the foundation stone for the country’s first Multi-Skill Development Centre here on Monday. Addressing the gathering, he said that inclusive growth would be given top priority in the 12th Five-Year Plan. He said such centres were needed owing to the growing demand for skilled labourers in India and abroad. Ahluwalia appreciated Germany for coming forward to train the labourers in this centre.
He indicated that the Planning Commission might consider opening two more such in the state — one each in Belgaum and Mangalore. “These centres would open up newer employment opportunities to the youth.”
Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge asked Ahluwalia to consider the state government’s proposal of laying railway line from Gadag to Wadi, connecting north Karnataka to Hyderabad-Karnataka. “The Union government already agreed to share half the project expenses.”
On granting special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka region under Article 371 of the Constitution, he said that Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh also asked the Planning Commission to focus on the backward regions.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/foundation-laid-for-multi-skill-centre/382951.html

Some pics posted at Cityscapes thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=327688&page=136) as well

Wonderful pics CP...really good camera u have there

I took printout of this route and took Elevated Expressway and Nice road to reach Mysore road (and also while returning from Mysore also). So I really dont know what u people were saying as 'Naraka'. The drive to Mysore and return was smooth(except for the speedbreakers out of nowhere :bash:)



Oh you went through "swarga" :lol:

Breakfast Hotel :bash:



ha ha ha... except for that it is a fast food joint else its a good hotel serving authentic Karnataka dishes.

I forgot to give my no, you could have dropped down to my place for breakfast, its hardly 10 mins by walk from this place.

And beautiful snaps CP :cheers:

Good pics yaar... :)

Beautiful -

Wonderful pics CP...really good camera u have there



And beautiful snaps CP :cheers:

Thanks all.. :)

Remembering Sabu, the mahout from Mysore

BANGALORE: When Sabu Dastagir, the boy mahout from Mysore, made his maiden appearance in Robert Flaherty's 'Elephant Boy' in 1935, he captured the imagination of the West. "Sabu was an enigma to begin with, an exotic savage straight out of the backyard of Rudyard Kipling's 'Toomai of the Elephants'," explains film critic Prof N Manu Chakravarthy.

By the mid-1930s, people in the West had some inkling of images defining such exotic people through their experience from colonialism. "More importantly, these images found their connection to anthropological works, which correlated to Africa and its natives," he explains. And Sabu too, was looked at as an object of curiosity. "Such imagery was construed as the civilization of the 'other'; 'civilization' of course, being the West," he adds.

Intersecting such world views, Flaherty, the man behind the epic film 'Nanook of the North', decided to travel to Mysore in pursuit of his lead character for the Kipling-inspired story 'Elephant Boy'. He found Sabu, a budding mahout in the Maharajah's stable. In fact, Rajkumari Urmila Devi, the late Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar's niece, grew up on stories about Sabu. "My mother, Rani Vijaya Devi, met Sabu when he was young and talked to me of his days in the palace. She felt it was an amazing opportunity for Sabu to be discovered by Flaherty. Mother knew Flaherty as well - his daughter married a famous Dutch taxidermist who lived in Mysore," says Urmila.

In recent times, as honorary secretary of the International Music and Arts Society founded by her mother Rani Vijaya Devi, Urmila chanced upon 'Elephant Boy' and approached NGMA Bangalore to screen it. "The film is reminiscent of a wonderful era. Screening it gives us the opportunity to connect with it," she said.

Although the 'Elephant Boy' doesn't have the same novelty as it did in the the 1930s or even the 1970s, when Chakravarthy first saw it. "I'm a Mysore boy and grew up on stories about Sabu, until I first saw the 'Elephant Boy' while in college. I came face to face with the legend who had also grown up in NR Mohalla, Mysore. I recalled my schoolteacher's tales of how Flaherty came looking for his hero to Mysore," he reminisces.

Sabu walked into the film by just being himself. "Flaherty was a keen observer of humans and the society," says documentary filmmaker Chalam Bennurkar, adding, "He was able to get through the everydayness of life. He saw beauty in ordinary life, shot it himself in his one-unit camera and gave it character with poetic charm. Flaherty became acquainted with Nanook when he took up an exploration job in Canada and later, Sabu in Mysore."

Sabu went on to become an actor of many hues between the colonial era and later in his short life of 39 years, till he died in 1963. "Today, 'Elephant Boy' is creative exposure to us city-bred people, who have over the years shed stereotypical notions of our indigenous people," Chakravarthy said.

The Elephant Boy

Screening on April 20 at NGMA, 6.30pm

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Remembering-Sabu-the-mahout-from-Mysore/articleshow/12711927.cms

Alignment finalised, Monorail comes close to reality

First phase to connect Jaraganahalli along Kanakapura Road to Cantonment

The State government has finalised the alignment for the City’s first monorail corridor.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/04/18/monorail.jpg

The corridor between Jaraganahalli along Kanakapura Road and Cantonment, which is part of the first phase of the Monorail project, will soon be implemented with the authorities undertaking soil testing along the project route.

Sources in the Infrastructure Development department told Deccan Herald that the corridor, which extends up to around 19 km, would connect JP Nagar, Koramangala, Ejipura, Domlur and Indiranagar. A source said soil testing was already in progress in Jaraganahalli and JP Nagar, which fall in the corridor line.

An official from the Infrastructure Development department said the idea behind taking up the above corridor was to provide better connectivity between South and East Bangalore through the Monorail. The corridor would also act as feeder to the Metro rail network at both the ends.

A senior official with the Infrastructure Development department, on condition of anonymity, said the route alignment had been approved by the State government tentatively. Once the soil testing is done, technical and physical feasibility studies would be undertaken, before calling for design tenders for the project.

It can be noted here that the alignment of the Monorail corridors was a matter of debate in the government with experts and private stakeholders expressing concern over the proposed alignment.

When the Monorail project was announced by the then chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, it was said the 16-km long line connecting Majestic to Agara Lake would be constructed first.

Then there was talk of taking up Hudson Circle to ITPL and Hudson Circle to Electronics City (together about 40 km) corridor.

In June 2011, to ease traffic congestion in core areas of the City, the State government approved the detailed project report for the 60-km monorail network.

The detailed project report was prepared by Scomi Geodesic Consortium, which later tied up with ITNL Enso Rail System Ltd (IERS), a subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation Network Limited (ITNL), as its financial partner for the project.

The project would be implemented on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis under the Swiss Challenge Procurement process. A special purpose vehicle has also been launched for this purpose.

Other proposed corridors

* Hebbal to JP Nagar - 34 km

* Peripheral Ring Road to toll gate along Magadi Road -
9 km

*Kathriguppe Road to National College - 5 km

* Hosur Road to Bannerghatta - 15 km

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242863/alignment-finalised-monorail-comes-close.html

BDA to make final inspection of Arkavathy Layout today

The Bangalore Development Authority will conduct a final inspection of the Arkavathy Layout on Wednesday before embarking upon formation of the layout.

The proposed inspection has fuelled the hopes of 8,838 allottees who have been waiting for their sites for the last seven years.

According to the sources in the BDA, the final inspection was ordered after the State government pulled up the Authority for its lax approach in forming the layout. According to an official, the final inspection is a result of the “pressure” exerted by the government and the chief minister on the BDA commissioner.

The Authority has asked the third party agency entrusted with the task of forming the layout and its own Engineering Department to conduct an inspection of the land available.

The Arkavathy Layout was conceived in the year 2003, when the preliminary notification was issued by the State government for the formation of the layout.

Since then, the layout has been embroiled in litigations and denotification controversies, the recent being against former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.

The Supreme Court in 2011 cleared all legal hurdles and directed the State government to form the layout for the benefit of the allottees.

However, over the past year, the layout has not seen the light of day.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242862/bda-make-final-inspection-arkavathy.html

Garden City lost two-thirds of its vegetation in four decades

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Bangalore's built-up area grew by 584 p.c. between 1973 and 2010: study

A new study by the Indian Institute of Science on Bangalore's spiralling growth confirms what most residents probably already know: the city lost 66 per cent of its vegetation and 74 per cent of its water bodies in less than 40 years, even as its built-up area grew by 584 per cent.

GREEN COVER LOST

The city's famed tree cover, which once accounted for 72 per cent of its area (488 sq. km) in 1973, dropped to 21 per cent (145 sq. km) in 2010, reveals the research paper published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation.

HAPHAZARD GROWTH

Urban growth, especially in the last five years, has been “haphazard”, particularly on the outskirts of the city, says the paper.

The findings illustrate “the extent of influence of the drivers of urbanisation… Bangalore was the most sought-after destination for its climatic condition and the availability of various facilities (land availability, economy, political factors) compared to other cities”. Bangalore grew intensely in the northwest and southwest zones in 1992 due to industrialisation, and “this phenomenon intensified due to impetus to IT and BT sectors in SE and NE during post-2000”.

While the central core areas of Bangalore saw a compact growth, the outskirts have witnessed urban sprawl and are deprived of basic amenities, says the study.

URBAN NIGHTMARE

“Unplanned concentrated growth in a region has telling influences on natural resources (disappearance of open spaces — parks and water bodies), traffic congestion, enhanced pollution levels and also changes in the local climate.”

The urban built-up area increased by 342.83 per cent during 1973-92, 129.56 per cent during 1992-99, 106.7 per cent during 1999–2002, 114.51 per cent during 2002–06 and 126.19 per cent from 2006 to 2010.

HOW IT WAS DONE

The study used spatial techniques involving temporal remote sensing data and geographic information system with spatial metrics and is authored by Ramachandra T.V., Bharath H. Aithal and Durgappa D. Sanna of the Indian Institute of Science.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3325346.ece

Wanderbug bites Bangalore

BANGALORE: Call it the summer itch: that urge to pack a bag and take off where the heart wills, and wanderlust leads.

This year, too, Bangaloreans have chosen exotic destinations, both domestic and international. The surge is clearly towards foreign locales, and the reason is clearly economics. Short trips to nearby international destinations are cheaper than travelling to offbeat, and even the usual domestic tourist spots, say leading travel providers following this interesting travel trend.

The economics of travel

Consider this: if a family of four is to travel to picturesque Kashmir, the expenditure per person is around Rs 36,000, given the option of including a shikara (houseboat). This four-night, five-day trip takes into account accommodation in a four-star hotel and includes meals. But make no mistake, the price quoted is the package cost from Delhi, so for a Bangalorean, it means additional airfare to reach Delhi.

Look overseas now: A three night-four day holiday to Thailand would mean a tourist has to shell out Rs 31,000, and start from Bangalore as most airlines operate direct flights to foreign destinations.

"Given the fact that travelling to foreign destinations has become cheaper, we have seen quite a few families opt out of domestic trips and look at travel abroad," said Kawaljit Singh Narula, general manager of Le Passage to India (LPTI), Bangalore.

Similarly priced are short trips to Malaysia and Singapore, which cost less than heading out to Leh or Ladakh for the same duration.

While travel to some overseas destinations comes cheap, touring would cost marginally higher than visiting some places within India. Travel players say people don't hesitate to shell out those extra bucks as it means foreign shores. For instance, travelling to the Andamans would cost Rs 1.1 lakh, while a Kerala trip means the same family of four shells out Rs 80,000, and a run to Goa costs a neat Rs 60,000.

Package peek

Kashmir: 4 nights/5 days via Delhi - Rs 36,000 per person + Bangalore to Delhi: Rs 50,000 per person

Includes shikara, accommodation in four-star hotel and meals

Leh/Ladakh: 4 nights/5 days via Delhi - Rs 32,000 per person + Bangalore to Delhi: Rs 45,000 per person.

Thailand: 3 nights/4 days (2 nights Pattaya, 1 night Bangkok): Rs 31,000 per person

Singapore/ Kulalumpur: 4 nights/5 days: Rs 35,000 - 37,000 per person. Direct flights

Lone rangers are the new market

Each time Shobhna Rao feels happy about the money accumulating in her bank account, she dials her travel agent. The agent, who has planned Shobhna's vacation for many years now, knows her preference -- a getaway all by herself.

The 35-year-old investment banker is not a case in isolation -- there is a breed of independent women travellers on the rise, and travel providers are wise enough to look on them as a potential customer base and customize trips to suit their needs. The trend is to woo women with tailormade packages.

"While some women want to travel alone, some would rather travel with their daughters, and at times, a bunch of sisters takes off together," said Ritu Panesar, founder of Traveloforum, a global travel company.

Women travellers largely attribute their decision to travel alone to financial independence, and also zero baggage. Research by a leading travel player has shown the demand for women-only tours are a result of a new lifestyle choice.

The preferred destinations? Any place under the sun. From Turkey, Macau and Israel to Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan, women travellers are opting for weekend getaways or weeklong conducted tours.

Any specific facilities? "Not many, though we ensure their safety gets utmost priority. From a trusted fleet of cab drivers to security in hotel rooms, every small little detail is looked into," said Ritu.

"Such travellers would rather spend their holiday in one place, as a leisurely break from the daily monotony. They don't hop, skip and jump destinations," said Kawaljit Singh Narula, general manager of Le Passage to India, Bangalore.

Incentives are routinely thrown in to spice up a package tour designed for the woman traveller. These range from spa treatments in Singapore to culture tours in Thailand, the perk primarily depending on the destination. These trips range anywhere between the three nights-four days package to even 15 days. "There were certain destinations I wanted to explore on my own. When I approached my travel agent for the first time, I was excited to know that they cater to women wanting to travel independently. I joined the group, and we've toured so many destinations together, it's a lot of fun," said Shobhna, who takes off once every six months.

Hotspots

Desi destinations

* Adventure trips to Goa and Dandeli in Karwar for a mix of river rafting, parasailing and mountaineering

* Trekking and safari trips in Bandipur and Kabini forest reserves

* Picturesque Shimla, Manali, Leh, Ladakh and Kashmir

* A new surge to Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam

* Gaining popularity are Andaman and Bhutan

Foreign shores

* 12-day Europe tour with Switzerland thrown in

Preferences are changing

We've observed a change in the Indian traveller's preference of holiday destinations. They are willing to experiment and explore beyond the regular tourist spots. This summer, we've received bookings for Ladakh, Kashmir and Pelling in the Northeast. Among international destinations, it's Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali which have remained popular for a long time now.

Mohit Gupta | chief business officer, Makemytrip.com

Online booking cheaper

Hotels normally put out the cheapest rates online or through booking sites, automatically making online ticket booking a cheaper option. "An agent might just give you some value for booking but that is again an exception, not the rule. For an agent to offer the traveller that deal, he himself needs to be well-informed," said an insider from the travel industry.

"It is safer to get it done through an agent to avoid missing out on intricate details, or a person should understand the terms and conditions and only then book tickets. Often, travellers are misguided and land in trouble," said a senior official of a travel provider.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Wanderbug-bites-Bangalore/articleshow/12723594.cms

When past becomes history

Bengaluru may be popular as the IT City today , but it owes a debt to the kings and visionaries of old who shaped it with farsightedness, providing it with the lakes and gardens that gave it a unique identity. But far from paying homage to its founder, Kempe Gowda or the Mysore rulers who shaped it , the city seems to be doing its best to get rid of what remains of their contributions as it rushes headlong into urbanisation.

Take the residence of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the architect of Benglauru. It was demolished in 1970 without any remorse by the government and in its place was built the Visvesvaraya Towers near Ambedkar Veedhi. Hundreds of traditional homes in Malleswaram,Basavanagudi, Frazer Town, Austin Town and Cox town too have given way to multi-storied apartment blocks or malls with the authorities showing little concern for this huge loss of heritage architecture.

“A heritage structure is not just historical monuments, but also traditional houses and homes that represent a particular era. But due to lack of legislation and awareness, these properties are fast being turned into apartments,” deplores Rohit Jigyasu , senior advisor, Indian Institute for Human Settlements.

Far from learning a lesson and mending its ways , the government is doing little while a similar story of neglect is playing out at the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi. The oldest temple in the city is under threat from encroachments, but no agency seems to be coming to its rescue. The historical Bengaluru Fort too is in a sorry state of neglect , but this too has apparently escaped the notice of government agencies.

“We must learn from countries like France and Czechoslovakia where the government and the people take the initiative to save and maintain historical structures. But look around the city and you find its historical structures in tatters ,” notes Mr Umesh Badami, whose family once owned the Badami House.

One way to preseve traditional homes would be to give their owners incentives to keep them the way they are , believes Mr Jigyasu , also suggesting that localities like Malleswaram, and Basavanagudi be given a heritage tag to make sure they don't lose all traces of their old world charm.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/when-past-becomes-history-711

BDA resumes Arkavathy Layout formation

Land losers to get 40 pc of the developed land

After years of inaction, the formation of Arkavathi Layout seems to be back on track, with the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) starting the process of giving compensation to the land losers.

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The layout, with more than 12,000 sites, is coming up in and around Jakkur in the North Bangalore region on 1,100 acres of land encompassing 16 villages. The layout formation had hit the roadblock due to farmers’ protest over compensation offered by the government.

After many rounds of discussions and negotiations, the government agreed to provide 40 per cent of the developed land to the land losers.

The government’s decision on the amount of compensation to the land losers of the residential layout was important in the sense that it became a precedence benefiting land losers across the State.

On Wednesday, the BDA formally started the formation of the layout. In the morning, BDA chief engineer with others visited the layout and spoke to the farmers.

When the BDA officers asked the farmers to keep their records ready for the documentation process, the latter appealed to them to start the documentation process only on the day when the registration of 40 per cent of the developed land is done in favour of the land losers.

The BDA officers too agreed to the proposal and accordingly it was decided that the documentation and registration of land be done next Monday.

According to the BDA officials, anyone having one acre of land will be given at least 9,000 sq ft of developed land after land for road, CA sites and land pieces for other civic purposes.

While there are 4,000 land losers in the area, the layout has 8,000 allottees. For the last many years, allottees have been looking forward to the layout formation to construct their dream house.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243128/bda-resumes-arkavathy-layout-formation.html

Palike to restore Richmond Road shortly

Motorists on Richmond Road, who have been having a harrowing time for the past six months, can finally heave a sigh of relief, as the Palike will be restoring the road in a week’s time.

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The stretch of the road running parallel to MG Road, near Trinity Circle, is in a horrid state. Navigating craters on the damaged road is a nightmare to motorists.

The BWSSB, which completed the work of replacing sanitary pipelines recently, further accentuated the problem.

The existing pipelines on the road belonged to the British era and used to be clogged during rainy season.

Overflowing sewage on MG Road, Midford Road and Richmond Road made the lives of pedestrians and motorists alike miserable.

To fix the drain problem, the BWSSB replaced the existing 150 mm dia pipes with 450 mm dia pipes for nearly 800 mts on the stretch.

Restoration of the road will begin by next week. The Palike has sanctioned Rs 44.50 lakh for the work, said a BBMP officer.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243125/palike-restore-richmond-road-shortly.html

KSRTC unions plan indefinite strike from April 27

Here is some bad news for bus passengers. Over 22,000 bus services across the State, including BMTC buses, are likely to be hit, with the joint action committee (JAC) of the trade unions of the four State road transport corporations on Wednesday threatening an indefinite agitation from April 27.

K R Vijayakumar, a JAC representative, told Deccan Herald that since the management of KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC had failed to meet various demands of the workers, it was inevitable for them to go on strike. He said the unions would stop the bus services from the evening of April 26 itself.

The demands include freedom to workers to function as a trade union, a constitutional right. “Managements of these corporations have stopped negotiating with unions and this can’t work in a democracy,” said Vijayakumar.

The four corporations associated with KSRTC have a work force of 1.10 lakh, including 32,000 trainees. The trainees are paid a mere Rs 2,600 a month and many of them are working for the same salary for the past many years.

The other demands are wage revisions after negotiations with the unions, putting an end to forced transfers and suspension or dismissal from service on frivolous grounds, ending false police cases and ensuring a framework to address grievances of workers.

When questioned about possible inconvenience to the public due to the agitation, JAC members said they were requesting the public to co-operate with them, as fulfilment of demands mean better services to passengers. One of the JAC members said they were open to talks with the government till the evening of April 26.

Vijayakumar said money making had become the sole aim of the corporations and even the passengers were made to pay extra charges for the services.

He said the extra charges, which were up to 30 per cent, were hidden.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243111/ksrtc-unions-plan-indefinite-strike.html

France, Swiss visas at Schengen centre

VFS Global, on Wednesday said its Schengen visa application centre in the City will now accept visa applications for France and Switzerland as well.

Vishal Jairath, VFS Global Regional Head (South Asia) said the centre will also accept applications for other Schengen countries like Belgium, Italy, Austria, Malta, Portugal, Sweden and the Netherlands.

“We will accept applications for French visas from applicants in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. For Swiss visas we will accept applications from applicants in Karnataka,” he said.

While the French visa applications will be processed by the Consulate-General of France in Bangalore, the Swiss visa applications will be processed in Mumbai.

The new Schengen visa application centre will remain open from 8 am to 4 pm.

A VFS statement said: “The key features of the new centre will be longer operating hours, dedicated website for easy access, visa information including visa types, applicable fees and application status, professional and responsive staff dedicated to handle visa queries, dedicated call centre unit, e-mail support and door delivery of passports.”

Dominique Causse, Consul General of France, Bangalore said: “The opening of the visa service here by the Consulate General in February 2011 received a tremendous accolade. Most visitors wish to go to France for business contacts, tourism and higher studies. The availability of a direct flight to Paris everyday is also a facilitator.”

Rolf Frei, Consul General of Switzerland, Bangalore pointed out that the centre will only strengthen Switzerland’s endeavours and strong will to intensify people-to-people contact through travel. “Over 76,700 visas were issued to Indians travelling to Switzerland in 2011, an increase of 25 per cent compared to 2010,” he said.

The facility is available at: Prestige Atrium 2nd Floor, No 1, Central Street, Bengaluru 560 001.

Helplines

France: +91 120 6641099; email: infofrancein@vfshelpline.com and website: www.vfs-france.co.in

Switzerland: +91 022 66103407; email: infoswiss.westin@vfshelpine.com and website: www.vfs-ch-in.com.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243110/france-swiss-visas-schengen-centre.html

Serviced apartments now under scanner

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BANGALORE: Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) plan to bring serviced apartments under the commercial property tax net has not yielded desired results. The Palike had planned to generate `130 crore as revenue but ended up collecting only `7.5 crore. As a result, the Palike is rushing to complete its dream project — Property Identification Data (PID) — hoping that it will bring serviced apartments and hidden commercial complexes to light, thereby ensuring transparency.
Many serviced apartments, which have mushroomed all over the city, are paying property tax under residential units. Only some genuine serviced apartments are paying taxes under commercial properties.
Last financial year (2011-12), BBMP expected the revenue from property tax collection to touch `1,500 crore. It also expected a revenue of `130 crore from the serviced apartment sector. “We have around 2,000 plus serviced apartments in the city. But, only a few are registered as commercial. Their cheating has cost the Palike a loss of `130 crore in revenue. Town Planning Committee should inquire into this issue immediately and should submit a report to Council,” said N R Ramesh, corporator.
However, Town Planning Committee Chairman C K Ramamurthy said his department gets several applications seeking building plan approval.
But then, it is not his duty to verify if people are using the plan for commercial or residential purposes.
He said that the responsibility to identify it rests with the Taxation and
Finance Committee.
The Taxation and Finance Committee department officials said, “In the IT zone, many serviced apartments are operating out of residential houses. We plan to tax at commercial rate but we do not have exact records on how many are operating. Hence, we recommended implementation of PID,” said G Manjunath Raju, Chairman, Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance. He added, “The PID project will be ready within the next four months.”
BBMP Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramakanth explained that on implementing PID, the centralised data collection will not allow anyone to escape the tax net and those found evading taxes over the last few years will be fined heavily.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/serviced-apartments-now-under-scanner/383467.html

Your Swiss holiday plan got a little simpler

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The winter sun shines through a tree near the Lake Silser, in Sils, Switzerland

Your visa will be processed in Bangalore itself

Your travel plan to Switzerland is now a little easier. The new Schengen Visa Application Centre here will process Swiss visa applications, bringing cheer not only to tourists but also business visitors. It will also handle French visa applications.

ANDHRA TOO

Operated by VFS Global, the centre will accept French visa applications from those residing in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. However, it will accept Swiss visa applications only from those residing in Karnataka.

Hitherto, Swiss visa applications were processed by the Swiss Consulate General's office in Mumbai. The French Consulate General's office in Bangalore, which started processing the visa applications directly last year, will now receive applications only in certain circumstances.

The new facility was jointly announced by the French Consul General Dominique Causse and Swiss Consul General Rolf Frei on Wednesday.

The centre also processes applications for Austria, Belgium, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Thailand.

Mr. Causse told reporters: “We have so far processed 15,000 visas since February 2011 after the consulate opened in Bangalore. While it normally takes two or three days to process the visa, it may take 10 to 12 days in high season.”

RECORD NUMBERS

Hoping that the tie-up with the VFS will help process visas faster, Mr. Frei said Swiss visa applications saw a 25 per cent jump last year to a record 75,000. He also did not forget to mention the role Bollywood has played in popularising Switzerland.

Vishal Jairath, regional head (South Asia), VFS Global, told reporters they had seen an increase in volume at the Bangalore centre over the last five years. Travel to Europe had been increasing due to change in policies of many EU countries as well as the economic conditions here. He said: “There is no slowdown in travel (to Europe) this year as business travel has not been affected like the way it happened in 2008.”

VFS Global's new Schengen Visa Application Centre is located at the Prestige Atrium on Central Street in Shivajinagar.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3330616.ece

Visitor for Gayle-struck fan

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Chris visits girl whose nose was fractured by his sixer

Star batsman Chris Gayle extended his fair play off the field visiting the 11-year-old girl who was injured after she was hit by a ball during the IPL match in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Tia Bhatia was hit by a ball the Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman had hit for a six at Tuesday's match against Pune Warriors. She is recuperating at Mallya Hospital in the city.

Hospital medical superintendent Kanchan Sanyal told The Hindu the girl had suffered a fracture on the nasal bone. “She underwent a surgery in the morning and is doing fine,” she said.

Gayle, along with RCB team owner Siddartha Mallya visited her after the match last night and wished her a speedy recovery.

“The parents as well as [Tia] have appreciated the support extended by Mr. Gayle and Mr. Mallya,” she added.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3330888.ece

For a plateful of staples

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South Indian Special: S.G.R. Enterprises serves a colourful array of shavige

Vidyarthi Bhavan and S.G.R. Enterprises are unpretentious joints, serving a variety of south Indian specials

In the age-old streets of Gandhi Bazaar, and nearby areas, are a crop of unpretentious fast food joints, serving a variety of clean and tasty food that isn't hard on the pocket.

Our first stop here was the popular Vidyarthi Bhavan, a small restaurant that is impossible to miss because of the crowd overflowing beyond the footpath onto the road. The high ceiling and tiled roof of the place gives it the feel of an institution standing tall and strong, upholding the rich tradition of south Indian food. The legacy of this restaurant began even before a free India was born — started in 1943 by Venkataramana Ural, this place retains its glory as the precursor to the city's ‘darshini' culture.

Its menu has not expanded beyond the local staples of idli, vada, dosa, poori and uppittu; but the one concession it has made in variety, the masala dosa, takes the cake. To Gundu Rao, a regular customer for the past three decades, this is not only where he gets great food, but also a place filled with nostalgia, which makes him feel younger and happier.

For the younger generation visiting this eatery, cleanliness, speed and quality of service are on a par with any modern joint. The charged atmosphere, apart from the strong coffee, is sure to lift your mood and keep you on your toes the whole day.

Vidyarthi Bhavan is at 32, Gandhi Bazaar, Near Gandhi Bazaar Circle, Basavanagudi (26677588).

SHAVIGE FOR THE SOUL

Wandering into one of the narrow bylanes of the market, I chanced upon S.G.R. Enterprises, a secret well kept by residents of the area, serving a colourful array of shavige. I started with the lemon shavige paired with the brown spicy puliyogare shavige and finished with plain white fluffy shavige doused in sweet kus kus, made with coconut and jaggery.

The shavige is made daily from scratch. “The recipe is from Google, though,” admits Sashi Kiran, the owner of the hole-in-the-wall eatery. He claims his store has served 3 lakh customers in the last year, despite its low profile. He also supplies plain shavige to restaurants and wedding caterers. Despite binging for a whole afternoon, I couldn't resist the temptation of an extra cup of kus kus at S.G.R.

S.G.R. Enterprises is at 127, D.V.G. Road, next to the Bata showroom, Basavanagudi (9945557114).

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3328311.ece

Where art never goes out of style

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‘Earth Sensitive’: Bimba — the Art Hut, founded by the couple Deepika Dorai and T.D. Deepak, attempts to make people realise the difference between recycling and celebrating nature.

Bimba and Kalakshiti, located on 100-year-old premises, exemplify the multi-dimensional aspect of art

At first glance, Yediyur may seem like just another neighbourhood in the city, caught between modernity and a colourful past. But that's not the whole story. The locale is still going strong on its rich cultural legacy, thanks to the cultural institutions here.

Distinguished tradition

One such is the dance school Kalakshiti, founded in 1991 by professor M.R. Krishnamurthy to carry on the distinguished tradition of his teacher, the legendary Rukmini Devi Arundale. “I wanted to replicate the spirit of Rukmin Devi's Kalakshetra in this space,” he says.

The spacious open air stage is built on the premises of the professor's home. Set in the arms of lush green boughs, it is mesmerising and inspirational in its design.

LANGUAGE OF THE SPIRIT

Dance, for Krishnamurthy, is the language of the spirit. “I feel intimately connected with god whenever I perform. This is what I try to instil even in my students,” he says.

Similar sentiments are echoed by the couple Deepika Dorai and T.D. Deepak, who founded Bimba — The Art Hut, on Ratna Vilas Road in 2001.

The foundation focuses on creating and sharing art that is ‘earth sensitive'. Forms such as rod and shadow puppetry are regularly performed.

“Calling ourselves ‘eco-friendly' gives it a superficial tone. How can you be ‘friends' with your mother? She is an intrinsic part of you as are you of her,” says Deepak.

Dedication and the simple joy of creation drive these performers. “Making money is certainly a part of life, but once it becomes central to whatever you do, it takes away the joy of learning,” Krishnamurthy says.

Deepak says Bimba's challenge lies in making people realise the difference between recycling and celebrating nature. According to him, while the former is a “conscious effort”, the latter is “instinctive”.

Deepika and her mother Uma Nagaraj perform the ‘rasaloka' (tableau) every weekend where they recreate one moment from classical legends.

“The art form was introduced to me by my grandmother and I have made a few changes to it. The idea is to let people live art as an experience rather than just be mute spectators to the performance,” says Deepika.

ROOTED IN CULTURE

Bimba and Kalakshiti exemplify the multi-dimensional aspect of art. Both premises, being 100 years old, are deeply rooted in cultural and historical significance.

So does the present generation show as much passion for the arts as the previous one?

'COMPASSION, NOT PASSION'

“Passion denotes a certain amount of aggression; what art needs is compassion, a calm passion to reconnect with nature,” Krishnamurthy says. “Each one has their own reasons for becoming interested in any form of art. While it may be a hobby for some, it could be a serious profession.”

“One must never limit one's talents. Being open to possibilities is what art teaches,” he says.

“These days, the children are sharper and pick up things very quickly. What used to take us months, they master within weeks,” says Kamala R Shastry, a resident of Yediyur and a veena player.

The unanimous opinion of these artists and the spirit of the neighbourhood seems to be that no matter how small the number may be, art and artists never go out of style.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3328162.ece

People, stories and colours


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While lines bring colour to personalities in cartoonist Ranga's extensive collection, colours bring life to lines at an exhibition of works by S. Nagaraj and S.N. Purohit

At the Indian Cartoon Gallery, 70 out of over 2,000 autographed caricatures from cartoonist Ranga's extensive collection are currently on display. The collection opens with a sketch of Gandhiji whose robes appear as the Indian map. The caricature at that time, found itself on one of the Indian stamps featuring the Mahatma.

Ranga, or N.K.Ranganathan, reportedly holds a Limca record for the highest collection of autographed caricatures of national and world personalities. The collection in this exhibition largely features political personalities from across India and the world, including Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Morarji Desai, N.T. Rama Rao, K. Kamaraj, M.G. Ramachandran, Bill Clinton, Yasser Arafat, Benazir Bhutto and Margaret Thatcher.

Some of these leaders have even written charming messages for the artist.“Am I not a handsome man?,” asks a crookedly smiling C. Rajagopalachari, leaning on his cane. “As always, wonderful to be seen through your eyes and your pen,” writes K.R. Narayananan. Margaret Thatcher comments: “It is good to see you again”.

“Ten years have passed since the demise of Ranga. We wanted to rejuvenate his name in the minds of viewers who wanted to recollect his message. He was known for his simple and quick caricatures which somehow capture the essence of the personality,” says V.G. Narendra, Managing Trustee of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists.

N.K. Ranganathan started his career with “Shankar's Weekly”. His cartoons have appeared in publications such as The Statesman, The Indian Express and The Tribune. He has also published books, featuring his cartoons, on Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Indira Gandhi.

Ranga's autographed caricatures will be on display until April 21 at the Indian Cartoon Gallery, No.1, Midford House, Midford Garden,Off M.G. Road, near Big Kids Kemp. For details, contact 41758540.

FROM LINES TO COLOURS

Even as lines bring colour into personalities, colours bring life to lines in the latest exhibition featuring works by S. Nagaraj and S.N. Purohit at the Renaissance Gallerie.

Nagaraj's works are intense, almost fierce with the dominating female figure sitting up over the lifeless form of the male. The female figure is often seated under the tree, over a snake, whose coils are wrapped around the male figure.

His background is ambiguously darker than his characters who are painted in bright, almost fluorescent shades.

“My works are collectively titled ‘Mahasati' representing the lives of the Indian women who have sacrificed their husbands to battle. I want to educate people about their sacrifices,” explains Nagaraj, who says his works are “tradition-based modern art”. Some of 76-year old Purohit's works are as abstract as Nagraj's works are character-based. But his abstractions sometimes take shape to resemble forces like “Hope” or the “Elements in Nature”.

Sometimes he adds lines to form a shape through colours like in “Hope” and many times, the colours themselves form shapes, like in “Sea Dream”.

“I believe that modern art is a culmination of many different aspects of art, where people experiment and find their own style. I have also found my own style to communicate my thoughts and emotions — I throw colours on the canvas and balance them out. These colours intermix to form patterns and I draw over what remains on the canvas,” describes Purohit, who has been painting for over 50 years.

His works are forceful as they are colourful and seem to express the depth of his life experiences.

The exhibition also features works by Yashwant Shirwadkar and Nitin Utge. The collection will be on display until April 20 at the Renaissance Gallerie, off Cunningham Road. For details, call 22202232.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article3327967.ece

Bangalore's mid-summer’s nightmare

If you have already experienced parched exhaustion in general, burning skin when you stop at a traffic signal, or are wondering why the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch is so badly cracked, then this is the reason:

The city has recorded its driest April since 2002, with the average humidity in the air hovering around 45% against the normal of 75% for this month.

Met officials also warned that the prevailing conditions (without rains) are ideal for people to suffer from heat strokes, mainly due to the dryness and high temperatures.

Although the city received 7 mm of rain on Tuesday, Met officials said the April showers (also called mango showers) have been delayed by 20 days. Ideally, April showers begin from March end to usher in the month of April as well as the mango season.

Last April, the city received 217 mm rainfall, most of it in the first half of the month itself; but this year, till now, the city received only 111.7 mm—that, too, mostly in the city’s outskirts and Bangalore Rural district, said B Puttanna, director in-charge, Bangalore Meteorological Centre (BMC).

Puttanna said the days ahead will only get hotter, interspersed with thundershowers. The weatherman said temperatures could rise to a little over 36° Celsius before May with the conditions remaining just as dry.

With 13 days left in April, the city is hoping to receive some rain this month so that May does not see extreme weather conditions.

“If the April showers do not come, then thunder activity in May is likely to increase; but it will still continue to be dry because normal April showers determine what kind of climate the month of May would bring,” he said.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-s-mid-summers-nightmare_1677536

CBI books BEML chief VRS Natarajan for cheating, corruption

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New Delhi: The CBI on Thursday booked Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) Chairman VRS Natarajan for alleged cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption in connection with tendering process for hiring a private consultancy firm and carried out searches at several locations including his residence.
The case related to award of contract for the implementation of Enterprises Resource Planning Project in the public sector undertaking during 2004-09.
The agency has now named Natarajan and Coimbatore-based Astral Consultants' Director C S Srivatsan as accused in the case of alleged tweaking of tenders in favour of the private company by the BEML.

According to the CBI probe, Natarajan and Srivatsan were part of alleged criminal conspiracy to award work worth Rs 40 crore to Astral Consultants.
Natarajan is already being questioned by the CBI in a separate case regarding alleged irregularities in procurement and supply of Tatra all terrain vehicles to army but he is not an accused in the case.
Teams of CBI officials reached the Bangalore-residence of Natarajan, residence of Srivatsan, besides Coimbatore office of Astral and took into their possession some "incriminating" documents related to the tendering process and communications exchanged with the company, CBI sources said.
Repeated attempts to contact Astral failed as the company did not answer phone call or respond to emails. Natarajan also did not respond to phone calls and messages.
"It is alleged that the accused persons were parties to a criminal conspiracy entered amongst themselves at Bangalore and other places during 2004-09 to cheat BEML in the matter of award of different works relating to the implementation of Enterprises Resource Planning Project in BEML causing wrongful loss to BEML and wrongful gain to others," CBI spokesperson said.
Earlier, the CBI on Wednesday searched the premises of two retired Army officers and questioned BEML Chairman VRS Natarajan for nearly six hours in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply of Tatra all-terrain vehicles to the Army.
Teams of CBI officials carried out searches at the residence of retired Brigadier PC Das at Vasant Kunj in south Delhi and retired Colonel Anil Dutta at Noida, CBI sources said.
With Additional Inputs from PTI



source:http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cbi-raids-premise-of-beml-chief/250171-3.html

CBI books BEML chief on charges of cheating, corruption

NEW DELHI: The CBI on Thursday booked BEML chairman V R S Natarajan for alleged cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption in connection with tendering process for hiring a private consultancy firm and carried out searches at several locations including his residence.

The case related to award of contract for the implementation of Enterprises Resource Planning Project in the public sector undertaking during 2004-09.

The agency has now named Natarajan and Coimbatore-based Astral Consultants' director C S Srivatsan as accused in the case of alleged tweaking of tenders in favour of the private company by the BEML.

According to the CBI probe, Natarajan and Srivatsan were part of alleged criminal conspiracy to award work worth Rs 40 crore to Astral Consultants.

Natarajan is already being questioned by the CBI in a separate case regarding alleged irregularities in procurement and supply of Tatra all terrain vehicles to army but he is not an accused in the case.

Teams of CBI officials reached the Bangalore-residence of Natarajan, residence of Srivatsan, besides Coimbatore office of Astral and took into their possession some "incriminating" documents related to the tendering process and communications exchanged with the company, CBI sources said.

Repeated attempts to contact Astral failed as the company did not answer phone call or respond to emails. Natarajan also did not respond to phone calls and messages.

"It is alleged that the accused persons were parties to a criminal conspiracy entered amongst themselves at Bangalore and other places during 2004-09 to cheat BEML in the matter of award of different works relating to the implementation of Enterprises Resource Planning Project in BEML causing wrongful loss to BEML and wrongful gain to others," CBI spokesperson said here.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CBI-books-BEML-chief-on-charges-of-cheating-corruption/articleshow/12732754.cms

Has TN been getting excess water from state for 20 years?

Even as 123 taluks in the state are facing a severe drought, Karnataka has been releasing Cauvery water in excess to Tamil Nadu. Till April 16, Karnataka released 230.55 tmc ft of water against an allocated 192 tmc ft, which is a surplus 33 tmc ft. According to sources in the Major Irrigation department, for the last 20 years, Karnataka has been releasing excess water to Tamil Nadu and has done little to regulate the flow of water at Biligundlu or harness the surplus for irrigation or drinking water projects in the State.

In 2007, the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal’s final order had stated that Karnataka should release 192 tmc feet of water to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu measurement point. Even the earlier interim order (passed in 1991) had awarded 205 tmc ft to Tamil Nadu. Even going by both orders, Karnataka on an average, has released an additional 30 tmc ft, causing heartburn among farmers and those facing a water crisis in the State.

Interestingly, the state government is shying away from monitoring and regulating the flow of water at Biligundlu and setting up checkdams or storage units fearing another dispute. “The water year (cycle) ends only in June and the State has already released more water than what was allocated. However, we have no means to measure the flow of water at Biligundlu but are monitoring it at KRS reservoir. Our efforts to survey the area for new projects have been opposed by Tamil Nadu, and our existing storage capacity is inadequate to harness this surplus water,” admitted a senior official.

“The Tribunal has lifted restrictions and allowed Karnataka to keep the surplus water after releasing the prescribed quantum to the downstream state. However, the State is treading carefully and might consider only a hydro power project coming up at the site as it does not involve storing or diverting surplus water,” rued the official.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/has-tn-been-getting-excess-water-state-20-years-008

Thailand opens visa centre in city

The Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate General, Chennai, Mr Chanchai Charanvatnakit, on Thursday announced the launch of the new visa application centre in Bengaluru through VFS Global’s Thailand Visa Application centre. VFS Global will now accept applications for Thai visas from Bengaluru and other parts of the state. This centre was launched a day after the Schengen Visa Application centre opened in the city on Central Street.

Mr Charanvatnakit said, “It was with great pleasure that I announce the opening of the new Thai Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru, which reflects our constant endeavour to enhance services and facilities for visa applicants in Karnataka. There is an increase in the number of Indians visiting Thailand every year”. Applicants can look forward to longer operating hours, a dedicated website for easy access, visa information, fees and application status, a call centre, email support and doorstep delivery of passports. Also, the Schengen Visa Application Centre has opened its doors to Bengaluru with its new office on Central Street. The centre will process visa applications to France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.

Mr Dominique Causse, Consul General of France, Bengaluru, and Mr Rolf Frei, Consul General of Switzerland, Bengaluru, announced the launch of the new centre. “Most visitors wish to go to France for business, tourism and higher studies. The availability of a direct flight to Paris is also a facilitator”.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/thailand-opens-visa-centre-city-007

Pride of Bangalore is now endangered

BANGALORE: If you are under the impression that man and wildlife are the only living beings reeling under globalisation and dramatic climatic changes, you will have to give it a second thought.
Known for its extraordinary fragrance that stretches as far as a kilometre, a rare deciduous tree called Shorea talura is today on the verge of extinction and all because of man’s follies. Commonly known as ‘Jaluri’, it is also called as the ‘Pride of Bangalore’ as it is found only in the Deccan Peninsula of our country.
A recent study indicates that the tree is endemic to hilly regions of Karnataka, thriving in the rocky crevices of the jungles of Bannerghatta, Ramanagaram, Savandurga, Chandragupte Forest Reserve near Sorab in Shimoga District and Byrandurga of Kudur in Magadi taluk. Some traces of this species have also been found in small pockets in Andhra Pradesh.
Dr Munirajappa, Professor, Plant Sciences, Sericulture Department, Bangalore University, who is doing research on ‘Plants used for rearing Tussar Silk’, said, “This is an outstanding bio-energy plant and the leaves of this plant is used for making tussar silk. But, unfortunately the innumerable advantages of this rare plant has not been explored due to lack of awareness. Tussar rearing is not really big in our state, as compared to Jharkhand or Orissa.”
But, why is this tree endangered? He explains, “This tree is found only in the rocky regions. But, due to environmental pollution, drastic changes in weather, scanty or erratic rainfall, prolonged drought and reckless felling, this Pride of Bangalore has been on the receiving end. Morever, the regeneration ability of this tree is very low due to poor seed germination. During the fruiting season, when the fruit falls on the ground, due to lack of moisture in soil, the fruit is eaten away by insects and the germination fails to take place. If the germination process does not happen within a week’s time, they won’t multiply. Hence, we have categorised this tree as RTEG (Rare Threatened Endangered Genotype).”
Efforts to save: Of late, well-known environmentalist Yellappa Reddy has given a call to safeguard these trees and appealed that this tree should be planted in and around the city. Attempts will be made to multiply this plant species by adapting a traditional seed bed technique (Nursery technique) and Tissue Culture (embryo rescue technique).
There is a proposal to raise block plantation of this tree in the ‘Bangalore Biopark’ at Jnana Bharathi campus. Hardened seedlings will be planted in public parks of Bangalore by tying up with the BBMP. People interested to know more about planting this tree can contact Dr Munirajappa (9448224211) or Sudha (9611488780) from the Department of Sericulture/Life Science, BU, Bangalore.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Pride-of-Bangalore-is-now-endangered/383460.html

BEML chief’s arrest imminent?

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2012/4/20/1-BEML.jpg

NEW DELHI/BANGALORE: With the CBI on Thursday filing a case against VRS Natarajan, chairman and managing director of Bangalore-based PSU Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) for alleged corruption in awarding a contract to a private consultancy firm, his arrest may be round the corner.
CBI sleuths raided Natarajan’s residence and office in Bangalore and recovered documents pertaining to the contract. The team reached the official residence, #256, 1st Cross Indiranagar at around 10.30 am and left only an hour later with documents. Sources in the department have indicated that all documents related to the controversial BEML-Tatra deal would be thoroughly scrutinised over allegations of irregularities.
CBI investigations have revealed massive irregularities in awarding of contract to Astral Consultants based in Coimbatore by BEML.
A CBI official said, “Between 2004 and 2009, BEML awarded enterprise resource planning (ERP) contracts to Astral Consultants in Coimbatore. These contracts were entered into at highly inflated rates, which caused a loss of Rs 40.67 crore to the PSU. The ERP contract was entered into to deliver services to 300 BEML staff.”
CBI has also registered a case against C S Srivatsan, chairman and MD of Astral Consultants in this regard. CBI teams raided his office at Coimbatore on Thursday afternoon and recovered incriminating documents.
CBI investigations have revealed that for the same type of work, other PSUs have hired consultants at substantially lower costs.
Natarajan and Srivatsan have been booked by CBI on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and accepting illegal gratification and relevant sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The CBI on Thursday also questioned Brig PC Das (Retd) and Col Anil Datta (Retd) for acting as lobbyists on behalf of the Vectra group, post retirement.
The investigation agency also questioned Anil Mansa Ramani, a senior executive working for the Vectra group.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/beml-chief%E2%80%99s-arrest-imminent/383899.html

Kitchens in KSRTC buses

BANGALORE: To make commuting in buses more comfortable, the Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will soon introduce kitchen and toilet facilities in Volvo buses on long routes. Around 25 buses will be introduced on an experimental basis for three month.
Then based on the success, the services would be extended to all long routes.
Transport and Home Minister R Ashok informed about these buses after launching a website of Sainik Welfare Department.
These Volvos known as Smart Kitchen Buses will have chemical toilets and a small kitchen with a food counter to serve snacks and beverages to the passengers on board.
“For the first time such facilities are being provided in a state-run buses,” Ashok said.
The transport department will also be introducing city bus services in district headquarters. To begin with, the city bus services will be introduced in Gulbarga to see if the service works out for the public, the minister added.
The department is also adding 50 more buses to its fleet of sleeper coaches. To check drunken driving incidents by its drivers, the department has decided to install alcometers in Volvo buses.
The alcometers will be attached to the ignition key and the driver has to blow into meter. If the driver is inebriated, the vehicle will not start.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/kitchens-in-ksrtc-buses/383938.html

Kodigehalli Lake: A classic example of self-made drought

One of the areas hit worst by water scarcity is also home to one of the largest lakes of Bangalore. In an ideal situation, the Kodigehalli Lake spread over 120 acres in Vidyaranyapura, Kodigehalli and Bommasandra could have ensured adequate groundwater levels in these areas and surrounding regions. But, it hasn’t.

Instead, people in these localities make a beeline for tankers for obvious reasons – most borewells in the area have run dry. The erratic supply by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has worsened the situation; people now have to depend primarily on private tankers. In other words, be at their mercy.

Not many are aware that the root of the problem lies in the lake that has been bone dry for six years. S Narayanaswamy, a social activist of Kodigehalli, knows this well. “The lake itself has been there for generations. As long it was full, the problem of water never existed. We don’t understand why authorities don’t allow water to flow into the lake anymore,” says Narayanaswamy. On one hand, water – both sewage water and rainwater – is not allowed to flow into the lake; and on the other, BBMP holds back water from flowing into it.

Sources say BBMP took this extreme step to ensure that contaminated water would not flow into the lake. Residents, however, have a different take. They argue that had the BBMP allowed water to be stored in the lake during the monsoons, there would be no question of subsequent contamination. Narayanaswamy says, “The monsoon waters can be released the first time, and then the lake can be filled up once again.”

A fencing was put up after residents complained about encroachers. But now they feel that this is only a ploy – the lake is being allowed to dry up to help land sharks.

There are other issues too. If water is stored in the Kodigehalli tank, it can hold groundwater levels in good stead even if it does not rain in the next year. “Borewells will not go dry in the summers if such a huge water body exists. It’s a matter of common sense. If the BBMP takes up the job in the coming monsoons, there will be no water problem next year,” says Kiran Kumar, a local.

This has not been the priority of the Lake Development Authority (LDA), which had taken up the “development” of the lake few years ago and intended to give it a facelift. Every since the water was drained out for the work, the lake has remained dry.

Ashwath Narayan Gowda, corporator of Kodigehalli, says `6 crore had been released by the BBMP for the development of the lake. “We should see to it that water gets stored. Otherwise, the water scarcity situation will worsen. As many as 17 borewells have gone dry already in the Kodigehalli ward. The water level has dropped to 800-1,500 feet in many areas. If the lake is there, it must store water,” asserts Gowda.

Whether this assertion will lead to rejuvenation is something only the next monsoons till tell. Till then, the travesty will continue.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_kodigehalli-lake-a-classic-example-of-self-made-drought_1665296

On outskirts, cops suffer 38 km at a stretch

Bangalore International Airport (BIA) traffic police have such a vast jurisdiction that if an accident takes place on the outer limits of their area, the police officers have to travel as much as 38 km to reach the spot. As the road remains busy, it takes them more than an hour. Taking note of the issue, the city traffic police have sent a proposal to the state government to reduce the jurisdiction of BIA traffic police.

Additional commissioner of police (traffic), MA Saleem, said the jurisdiction of BIA traffic police is too big, and thus the proposal to reduce its burden was sent to the state government.

The BIA traffic police station is in Devanahalli town and is in charge of jurisdictions of three law and order police stations—Devanahalli, BIA and Kothanur. Its jurisdiction starts at Rani Cross (in north of Devanahalli, on NH7, near Chikkaballapur district) and extends till Hennur near Outer Ring Road near the city.

When the burden was brought to the notice of senior traffic police officials, they discussed it and decided that the responsibility of Kothanur jurisdiction should be shared between the traffic police stations of Hebbal and Chikkajala, as they are much closer to the area than BIA traffic police station.

BIA traffic police said the flow of vehicles in Kothanur had increased as it provided easy access to reach the airport from eastern part of the city. The police said more rush meant more accidents. Taking note of this, a sub-inspector, an assistant sub-inspector and two constables were deployed in the area. This team was told that it need not visit the traffic police station to report to duty.

The police said that because of the distance, this team cannot be used for special duties, adding that such headaches would be a thing of past once their jurisdiction reduces. An officer with the BIA traffic police said the sub-inspector’s team is in charge of law and enforcement duties too and have booked more than 5,000 cases in the past four months.

It’s not just vast jurisdiction that BIA traffic police officials complain about. They don’t have sufficient staff members too. The traffic police station has 31 vacancies. A few months ago, 29 constables were hired, but they have been sent for basic training and will return only after eight months.

As if this is not enough, a traffic police official said that mostly, they do not get to concentrate on traffic enforcement as they are asked to go for special duty at the airport in view of VVIPs’ movement, which is a regular affair.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_on-outskirts-cops-suffer-38-km-at-a-stretch_1678306

AMiW8N3K9Tg&feature=g-u-u&context=G2f95613FUAAAAAAACAA

http://www.youtube.com/user/natarajanakrishna

An exclusive agency to monitor PPP projects
P M Raghunandan Bangalore, April 20, 2012, DHNS


Having burnt its fingers on public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the past, the State government has now decided to closely monitor implementation of minor airport projects, including those coming up in Shimoga and Gulbarga.

The State Infrastructure Development department (IDD) has appointed Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd (IDeCK) as the project monitoring agency for Shimoga and Gulbarga airports. IDeCK will not only monitor and manage the implementation of these projects, but also ensure they achieve the desired objectives. It is for the first time that a professional agency has been appointed to monitor PPP projects in the State.
“The monitoring agency will periodically report to the IDD on all activities. The IDD will review the progress based on the report and take appropriate decisions. This system will ensure that there is no breach of the PPP agreement,” IDD Secretary Rajkumar Khatri said. A team of experts from IDeCK will watch every step that the private partner takes in implementing the projects. It will follow activities like obtaining various clearances from various agencies of the Centre, shifting of utilities, commencement of the construction work and physical progress as per schedule. The experts will also keep track of correspondence of the private player with various agencies of the government, he added. For this, the government is paying Rs three lakh per month as fee to IDeCK, which is a joint venture between the State government, Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited, and Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited.

The government has had several bad experiences in implementing mega PPP projects, especially the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) and the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). The government came in for severe criticism from all quarters for failing to ensure the desired objective. While the BMIC project is mired in land related litigations, the BIA project was criticised for being sub-standard.

A number of PPP projects fail on account of limited and ineffective contract management.
The primary objective of contract management is to assist the contract authority in anticipating, monitoring and managing risks over the entire project life cycle, an IDeCK official explained. Not just the greenfield airports, project monitoring has been made applicable to all future PPP projects in the State.

The government has planned small airports in three other places of Hassan, Bijapur and Bellary. The IDD is also planning to evolve a mechanism to monitor the operation and maintenance (O&M) works of these airports. With respect to Shimoga and Gulbarga airports, the private partner is in-charge of O&M for 30 years and thereafter the project will be handed over to the government, Khatri said.

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243668/an-exclusive-agency-monitor-ppp.html

Thailand opens visa centre in city



source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/thailand-opens-visa-centre-city-007
good news, European visa centers were needed...

good news, European visa centers were needed...
schengen visas already there.. only US consulate is not there :bash: even foreign govts dont have brains are like our govts :lol:

End of the road for BSY?

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/yeddyurappa-crying_4.jpg.crop_display.jpg

The day Karnataka has been waiting for with bated breath is finally here. The Supreme Court constituted Central Empowered Committee (CEC) will on Friday, submit its report on the alleged favours doled out by former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to mining companies in return for monetary benefits to institutions run by his kin. If the CEC recommends a CBI probe into the charges made by NGO, Samaj Parivarthan Samudaya, it could spell curtains for BSY and his efforts to stage a comeback.

The BJP top brass has been anxiously waiting for the report before taking a decision on the leadership crisis in Karnataka which has badly hit the party’s image. With the state unit vertically split between the Yeddyurappa and Sadananda Gowda factions, central leaders are keen to settle the issue in the run up to Assembly polls, little over a year away.

Split shows, Shobha skips meeting
The rivalry in the BJP had its impact on the all-party meeting held on Thursday with energy minister Shobha Karandlaje—a close associate of former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa— absent during the morning session. Ms Karandlaje was reportedly miffed because she did not get a formal invite to the meeting. Following in the footsteps of the minister, energy department officials also abstained form the session.

A shaken Mr Gowda had to convene an emergent Cabinet sub-committee meeting to which Ms Karandlaje was invited along with other ministers to discuss power related issues. This meeting was attended by the minister and officials from the energy department. Sources in the chief minister’s secretariat said that notices of the meeting were sent to all ministers who are concerned with the drought including those handling agriculture, water resources, energy and rural development. The notice did not reach Ms Karandlaje’s office for some reason.

When the all-party meeting began at 11 am, barring the Mescom managing director, no energy department official was present. Mescom received the invite as Mangalore is the main entry point for power supply to the state, sources said. The goof-up came to light when some Opposition members complained that power supply was irregular in rural areas. With no representative of the energy department present, Mr Sadananda Gowda issued an emergency notice, convening the Cabinet sub-committee meeting.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/end-road-bsy-009

BSY: Down but not out

After Friday’s all important CEC recommendation for a probe by the CBI into the deals between former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa and mining majors, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court which is expected to resume the hearing on the subject on Monday.

Legal sources said that instead of taking up this matter along with other mining cases pending with its forest bench, the apex court is likely to club the CEC report along with a Special Leave Petition (SLP), which may come up for hearing before the regular bench headed by the Chief Justice on Monday.

The SLP has been filed by Sirajin Basha, the petitioner in the Lokayukta court in Bengaluru. He has challenged the Karnataka High Court order quashing the sanction granted by Governor H.R. Bhardwaj for the prosecution of the former CM on the basis of an FIR filed by the Lokayukta police.

The clean chit given to BSY in this case, was cited by BSY’s counsel while opposing the CEC proposal for a CBI probe against him.

“The charges involve serious violations of the relevant Acts and procedural lapses by then CM (Yeddyurappa) which enabled his close relatives to make profits and raises grave issues relating to undue favours, ethics and morality”, observed CEC member secretary M.K. Jiwrajka in a 17-page report.

The petitioner NGO, Samaj Parivartan Samudaya had sought an extension of the probe into illegal mining by the CBI into the bribery charges involving Yeddyurappa and steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal led Jindal Group of companies.

The CEC report says that Yeddyurappa turned a blind to the business of JSW Steels which was indicted for receiving large quantities of illegal minerals.


source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/bsy-down-not-out-345

‘Celcop’ to prevent mobile theft’

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/04/20/243589_thump.jpg

Students of GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women have developed ‘Celcop’ — a software application to alert users in case of mobile phone theft, which also sends an SMS to relatives if an accident occurs.

The application has been developed by Supriya Rajgopal, Syeeda Rukshar Ahamadi and Navya C under the guidance of Ravi Kurapati, assistant professor of computer science at the college.

‘Celcop’ monitors the source of power to the mobile phone and informs the user with a loud alarm whenever the phone is unplugged. This is particularly useful when charging phones in public places, trains and other similar situations. The application notifies the user with a loud alarm whenever the phone is lifted from the desk.

Once ‘Celcop’ is activated, the alarm continues to ring even if any of the buttons on the phone are pressed. It can be stopped only by entering a password, which the phone owner has to enter.

Another advantage is that if the mobile phone user is involved in an accident, the application sends an SMS regarding the details of the user and the accident location to the user’s family member(s) via an SMS. It flashes the victim’s details such as blood group, emergency contact numbers on the screen. Police and passers-by can use the information for providing first aid immediately.

Kurapati said the application has been tested on few mobile phones such as Nokia Lumia 800, Samsung Focus, LG Quantum and can run on any phone with Windows operating system.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243589/celcop-prevent-mobile-theft.html

Travel in BMTC buses set to become smarter

Passengers to get real-time update on arrival of buses under ITS

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/04/21/243675_thump.jpg


Travel in Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses is set to become a smarter experience for residents who are braving delays and overcrowding.

BMTC has already floated tenders for the intelligent transport system (ITS) project, which is already in the final stage of implementation in Mysore.

Under the project, passengers would get real-time update on the arrival and departure of buses they are waiting for. Such information would also be available on cellphones of passengers as Global Positioning System (GPS) would be fitted in all buses and bus stations in the City under the project.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, K R Srinivas, MD, BMTC, said nine companies had come forward to take up the project.

He said a committee involving experts from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and other establishments, would finalise the company to implement the project. Srinivas said there would be electronic ticketing facility in all city buses which will also come with smart card accommodation in future.

He said revenue monitoring on a real time basis and tracking the frequency of passengers between specific routes would be easier once the system was in place.

It can be noted that following the approval of Union Ministry of Urban Development, Mysore city was selected for the implementation of ITS, in a first of its kinds in the country. In the first phase, over 400 buses in Mysore have been fitted with GPS and are well in control by a central monitoring station for real time information.

Around seven terminals and around 50 bus stations have been installed with digital display boards where the updates on arrival and departure of the buses will be displayed for passengers.

Officials with BMTC said that ITS helped in reducing waiting time for passengers, better management of fuel consumption and emissions.

A senior official of BMTC also said ITS would bridge the accessibility gap in the bus transport system along with ensuring safety for commuters.
How ITS works

BMTC buses would be installed with Global position system (GPS) as part of the Vehicle Mounted Unit. The unit receives the position coordinates from the satellite and the location information is then sent across to the Central Control station through the
wireless communication link.

On the reception of inputs, devices at the central control station update the display boards at the bus shelters, stops along the route, TTMCs and at the display systems at bus terminal platform.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243675/travel-bmtc-buses-set-become.html

Deputy mayor grades BBMP on achievements

BANGALORE: Leaders of various political parties might have reasons to claim that Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has failed to make big achievements, but Deputy Mayor S Harish commenting BBMP’s achievements has rated the as “just pass.”
Harish, whose term as Deputy Mayor will end in another five days, on Friday said, if he had to rate the Palike, he would give “just pass” marks out of 35. He alleged that due to the officials’ negligence, files were not moved on time and this led to delay in developmental works, and said red-tapeism was present even in Palike. Harish opined that garbage and advertisement mafia was more powerful than Palike and this had to be changed. However, for his personal achievements as a Deputy Mayor, he gave himself an 80 on 100. Referring to the Deputy Mayor funds, Harish said he had released `8 crore for upgrading BBMP schools. “This fund will be used for painting of schools, construction of toilets and roofing,” he said. He added that funds for upgradation of Palike ambulances were released, to make them on par with 108 ambulances.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/deputy-mayor-grades-bbmp-on-achievements/384376.html

Ice cream sector hots up in Bangalore

BANGALORE: With temperatures soaring to new heights and summers getting hotter in the city when compared to previous years, one industry which is laughing all its way to the bank is the Ice cream industry.
Bangalore as such is not a known to be a significant consumer of Ice cream when compared to Ahmedabad, also known as the country’s ice-cream capital (Gujarat alone consumes nearly 20 per cent of the `35-crore litres of ice-cream manufactured in India annually). City Express spoke to some of the local ice cream shops on increase in sales this summer and how they have fared compared to the past.
Manager of Kwality Walls Swirl outlet in Basaveshwarnagar, Rumesh said, “There has been an increase of 30 to 40 per cent in sales
during summers.”
Though he was unable to share the actual figures with us, he added, “People come to us all the time irrespective of the weather. But, summers see a phenomenal jump in sales. If I am able to achieve 60 to 70 per cent of my target during the rainy season, I can effortlessly achieve 100 per cent during summers.”
The salesgirl at the store said, “We easily make sales worth `15,000 per day during weekends in summers and our most popular flavour is double chocolate thunderstorm.”
M S Krishnamurthy, owner of Amul Ice-creams store in Rajajinagar said, “I have seen a jump of 30
per cent in sales.”
When we asked him about the fastest selling category in ice creams, he added, “Family packs are the most popular among customers and candies also move pretty fast.” He added, “Normally, I make a profit of `10,000-15,000 per month in winters, whereas it goes up to `18,000 to 20,000 per month during the summers. Electricity expenses alone in a small shop like mine comes
around `5,000.”
He also informed us that compared to last year there has been a increase of 10-15 per cent in sales this time, reason being the sudden change in weather and the summers being unusually hot this year in Bangalore, which is otherwise known for its pleasant weather.
The ice cream shop owners we interacted with, opined that sales will continue to be good until June.
Umashankar, owner of the outlet in Sadashivnagar for Baskin-Robbins, which is priced on the higher-end, said, “Normally, our sales which are `20,000-25,000 during winters which has shot upto `50,000-60,000 now.” He added, “Our prices aren’t a deterrent when we are doing business in a posh residential locality and we are doing quite well.”
The ice-cream consumption in India is estimated at `2,500 crore in the organised sector and this industry has a fragmented market.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Ice-cream-sector-hots-up-in-Bangalore/384163.html

Tunnel found in historical Sadashivgad fort

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2012/4/21/1-TYUU-1.jpg

KARWAR: A tunnel route, discovered at Sadashivgad fort near here while clearing the area to build a road a few days ago, has created curiosity among the locals here. The fort was said to have been built by Sonda kings.
The rulers of Sonda kingdom, called Nayaks, who were the feudatories of Vijaynagar earlier, ruled the major parts of Uttara Kannada district between Sharavati and Kali rivers from around 1400 to 1764 AD. Sadashivgad is on the right bank of the Kali near its confluence with the Arabian Sea. Obviously it was a place of strategic importance for the rulers. According to Uttara Kannada Gazeteer, Maratha King Shivaji invaded Sadashivgad in 1665 and again in 1673. When Sadashiv Nayak-II took over the reins of Sonda Kingdom around 1665, his relations with the British soured and he started building the fort at Sadashivgad in 1698. The tunnel in the fort was said to be the secret route for the soldiers of Sonda Kingdom to fight against the British. Fryer, a British historian, who visited Sadashivgad in 1665 observed that Sonda prince was a tributary of Bijapur Adilshahi, during his visit.
Interestingly the fort has not attracted the attention of historians. There may be many such tunnels inside the fort area. Excavation can throw light on the history of the fort, says Shashikant Rane, a local leader. The main entrance was the only remnants of the fort today. However the fort area is leased out to run a resort by the Tourism Department. The forest, which provided green canopy to the hillock, where the fort is located, is degraded now. The combined effort of the departments of Archaeology, forest and tourism can make Sadashivgad a place of tourist attraction, says Rane.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/tunnel-found-in-historical-sadashivgad-fort/384437.html

Device to catch chain snatchers

MYSORE: Chain snatching has become an urban menace, putting the cops on their toes to catch the culprits. Distressed over this, a couple have come out with a smart electronic gadget to track down the culprits and know their whereabouts before catching them red-handed.
Titled ‘ATME Technology-Ultimate Real Time High Speed Tracker for Serious Convert Operation’, the device is invented by B S Manusudhan, Lecturer of ECE Department, along with his wife S Sowmyasudhan, Lecturer at CSE Department.
How it Works
The chip - Micro Electronic Mechanical Switch (MEMS) - with a customised real time GPS tracker, will be embedded in gold chains and ornaments. A mobile number will be assigned to the tracker. The biasing voltage required for operating the chip is generated by the body temperate of the person wearing the ornament. When a chain is forcibly snatched, the weakest link disconnects and the chip transmits an emergency high priority signal to the nearest mobile tower and the nearest police station.
The police need a computer to monitor the incoming signal, and to track the coordinates of the chain snatchers. As the GPS Tracker keeps sending the message for every five seconds, the culprits are tracked in real time. Even if the culprits take it to a goldsmith to melt ornaments, the exact last location can still be known.
Naming the processor as ‘ATME - P2011,’ the couple have applied for a patent. The approximate cost of this tracker is around `1200.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/device-to-catch-chain-snatchers/384425.html

HC strikes down betterment charges in BBMP’s new areas

Here is good news for all those planning to purchase land in the 110 villages that were included in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) some years ago. On Friday, the high court declared illegal the BBMP commissioner’s action in issuing the circular determining the amount of improvement expenses to be collected from the owners or occupiers of the sites or lands as specified according to the circular.

Hearing a batch of petitions filed by landowners challenging the improvement charges, the court said, “The action of the commissioner in issuing the circular determining the amount of improvement expenses to be collected from the owners or occupiers of the sites or lands as specified according to the circular is declared as illegal.”

According to the circular, the commissioner had fixed different rates for the sites. The improvement charge for 1 sq m for a 30x40 site is Rs200; for a 60x40 site, Rs300; for a site above 60x40 site, more than Rs400.

The court termed the circular illegal and said that the BBMP is free to undertake a fresh exercise to fix the rate. It said that during the pendency of the case, any landowner who had paid improvement charges can seek a refund.
In 2010, after the 110 villages were added as new areas under the BBMP,the former commissioner, Siddaiah had issued a circular and directed officials of the BBMP’s revenue department to collect improvement charges from residents.

The charges—which were for the provison of water supply, roads and drainage—were approved by the BBMP council on December 29, 2010.

“It cannot be said that the owners of the smaller sites are always economically weak and invariably use lesser infrastructure provided in the BBMP,” the court said.

“Without ascertaining the economic and financial status of the owners of the sites, such an approach—adopted to collect increased amount from the owner of the larger areas only because the area is newly incorporated into the BBMP jurisdiction—cannot be termed as a reasonable exercise. It cannot be lost sight that most of these areas which are included in the BBMP were part of the villages in the outskirts and many agriculturists who owned the lands might have got converted and become the part of the newly constituted BBMP.

They will have to now shell out huge amounts towards improvement charges at higher rates because they possessed larger sets or properties. Therefore, the basis of the differential treatment lacks intelligence or reasonable criteria. Hence the different rates charged cannot be sustained”.

The court also said, “Rule 5, which provides for the collection of improvement expenses at the time of registration of the khata, is set aside only to the extent it provides for recovery of the amount at the time of the registration of the khata. Provisions made in the said rule for collecting the full sum are also declared as ultra vires under section 467 of the act.”

Different rates of improvement expenses fixed for different sites based only on the dimension of the sites are declared as arbitrary and unreasonable, the high court observed.

Cancellation of the khata effected on the ground of nonpayment of improvement charges is declared as illegal as such actions are hereby set aside in so far as it pertains to the petitioner, the court added.

“The high court’s order means the improvement charges that the BBMP used to collect at one go during the registration of the khata are termed illegal,” said KN Puttegowda, the BBMP’s advocate.

“But the corporation has the power to collect betterment fees in 20 installments as per section 467 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act.”

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_hc-strikes-down-betterment-charges-in-bbmps-new-areas_1678670

Court: khata can't be denied for non-payment of improvement fee

BBMP allowed to collect improvement charges from Jan. 2007

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01060/21bg_Court_said_ep_1060216e.jpg

Giving a major relief to a large number of property owners in the city, mainly residing in the areas newly added to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Karnataka High Court on Friday set aside the differential rates of improvement charges fixed by the BBMP while terming the rates as “arbitrary and unreasonable.”

The High Court also said that the BBMP cannot deny registration of khata in favour of property owners only for the reason of non-payment of improvement charges while directing the BBMP to register khata provided land owners have satisfied all other legal requirements. The court also declared as illegal the action of the BBMP in cancelling the khatas for non-payment of improvement charges.

Justice B.S. Patil issued the directions while delivering the verdict on about 300 petitions filed by property owners and private land developers challenging the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Recovery of Improvement Expenses) Rules, 2009.

“The Rule 5, which provides for collection of improvement expenses at the time of registration of khata, is set aside only to the extent that it provides for recovery of amount at the time of registration of Khata,” said Justice Patil.

The court, however, upheld the validity of all other provisions of the Rules, including the provision for collecting improvement charges retrospectively from January 1, 2007 though the Rules were notified on March 2, 2010.

The High Court also held that the provision made in the Rules for collecting the full sum [entire improvement charge] as contrary to the Section 467 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act as it [Rules] gives discretion to the Commissioner to give option of payment of improvement charge in instalments though the Rules have the effect of placing heavy financial burden on the owners of the properties.

The High Court also declared as illegal the action of the Commissioner [of BBMP] in issuing the circular determining amount of improvement expenses to be collected from the owners or occupiers of the sites/lands.

While declaring as “arbitrary and unreasonable” the differential rates of improvement expenses fixed for different sites based on the dimension of sites, Justice Patil said that it cannot be held that owners of smaller sites/lands are always economically weaker and invariably utilise lesser infrastructure.

“Many areas were part of villages on the outskirts and many agriculturists, who owned lands, might have got converted and became a part of the newly constituted BBMP. They [land owners] will have to now shell out huge amount towards improvement expenses at higher rates because they posses large sites/properties.” Justice Patil observed while pointing out that the basis of differential treatment lacks reasonable criteria and hence differential rates charged cannot be sustained.

Meanwhile, the court has reserved the liberty to the BBMP to undertake afresh the exercise of quantifying the improvement expenses and its collection.

The BBMP had fixed Rs.150 per sq m as improvement charge for the sites measuring up to 111.48 sq m (1,200 sq ft); Rs.200 per sq m for lands measuring between 111.48 and 222.96 sq m (1,200 and 2,400 sq ft); Rs.300 per sq m for sites measuring between 222.96 and 557.41 sq m (2,400 and 6,000 sq ft); and Rs.400 per sq m for sites measuring above 557.41 sq m (6,000 sq ft.)

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3338707.ece

Road widening projects hitting roadblocks?

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01060/21BGCTY3-1_1060214f.jpg
The Jayamahal Road leading to Mekhri Circle is a mess with the widening work stalled.

Every long-suffering Bangalorean knows what it's like to be caught in peak hour traffic. As a solution to the city's notorious traffic jams, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had proposed the widening of major roads, that is, to add one or more lanes on either side of the carriageway.

However, out of around 20 major road-widening projects undertaken in the city, slated to cost Rs. 35 crore, most haven't progressed beyond the initial round of tree felling and demolition of small shops. And, the debris, haphazard demolition and construction works associated with these stalled projects have further compounded commuters' problems.

NO PROGRESS

Take Jayamahal Road for example. While the widening of the road from Mekhri circle to the TV tower is complete — leaving behind the bizarre sight of trees bang in the middle of the road — the widening of the road on the other side, that is, from Nandidurg Road junction to Mekhri Circle, hasn't seen progress since early last year. “Because of the initial construction, the road now has potholes, blocks and stones thrown on the side of the road, and even piles of sand that make the road even narrower,” said Naveen Prakash, who travels almost daily on the road on his motorcycle.

KEY LINK

Similarly, on the nearby Ramana Maharishi Road, no workers can be seen on the stretch between Mekhri Circle and Cauvery Junction, which is a key link between the International Airport and the city. This road routinely sees traffic snarls as the wide three-lane Bellary Road narrows down to barely two lanes.

Similar is the story of the works on Suranjan Das Road, Sankey Road, Mysore Road, Hosur Road, Kasturba Road, Halagevaderahalli Road among others in the city.

The BBMP offers myriad reasons for stalled projects — from land acquisition problems to shifting of utilities and inefficiency of contractors. It also says they “will be completed soon”.

UNDER LITIGATION

“In Jayamahal and Ramana Maharishi Roads, the Palace Ground land needed to be acquired is currently under litigation in Supreme Court (Wodeyars vs. Government of Karnataka). But as both parties have agreed in principle, we expect the order any time,” said S. Somashekar, Chief Engineer, BBMP (Major Roads).

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

The Sankey Road widening, which was cleared by the court, is caught up in “technical problems” due to the water table and height of the bund, he said. The Mysore Road project is bogged down by “inter-department problems” in shifting of water, sanitary and electricity lines, while the asphalting of the Kasturba Road stretch is delayed because of issues with the contractor.

“We have cancelled the contract and asked KRIDL (Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited) to complete it,” he said.

Of these pending projects — including the main roads in Yelahanka, MLA Layout, Mahadevapura, Rajarajeshwari — he said works on around 10 roads would be complete by the year end.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3338670.ece

Soon, a different kind of draw at the museum

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01060/21BGCTY4-2_1060219e.jpg
Using the government infrastructure as a school, the Museum School will be able to fill the gap in quality education

Museum School to stem school dropout rate opens today

To bridge the gap in the quality of education between children belonging to well-to-do families and those from the lower economic strata in urban areas, Bal Utsav, an initiative of Child Empowerment Foundation India (CEFI), is launching a Museum School on April 21.

Nina P. Nayak, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, will inaugurate the school, said to be first of its kind in a metro, at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) on Kasturba Road here.

PROBLEMS

Ramesh Balasundaram, Director of CEFI, told presspersons here on Friday that the government has been trying to check the school dropout rate by providing free textbooks, uniforms, bicycles and so on to students. However, due to minimal infrastructure and multi-grade teaching by single teachers, the student-teacher ratio had affected the quality of teaching, resulting in an increase in the number of dropouts.

“A museum provides knowledge and a fun-filled learning environment. But it had not been used as a centre for regular learning. Their exhibits enable practical and conceptual learning, even for illiterate children. The Museum School collaborates with museums, making them the regular school, matches curriculum with exhibits, and facilitates a practice teaching platform for B.Ed. colleges. Using the government infrastructure as a school, the Museum School will be able to fill the gap in quality education,” he said.

100 CHILDREN

Mr. Balasundaram said that the school will cover 100 non-school going children from slums across Bangalore and will operate five days a week and four hours daily. The services of five B.Ed. teachers, besides about five literate persons from slums would be utilised for the school. The children will be also be provided with free pickup and drop facility and nutritious snacks.

The school will have a curriculum that covers values, life skills, literacy, academics, arts, sports, adolescent and vocational education.

The important feature of the school is that it is being run by women — teaching, non-teaching and coordination.

Details can be obtained from Child Empowerment Foundation India, 785, 2nd Cross, Ayyappa Layout, Munnekolalu, Marathahalli, Bangalore 560037 or log on to www.balutsav.org

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3338718.ece

Rocket lands in record book

5.7-foot-tall origami structure was a joint effort by 5,557 staff of private bank

A paper rocket prepared by employees of a private bank has set a national record for being the largest structure of its kind.

The 5.7-foot-tall origami (Japanese art of paper folding) structure was a joint effort by 5,557 employees of Deutsche Bank from Bangalore, Mumbai and Jaipur. They were guided by V. Shivashankara Shastry, a native of Kolar and recipient of Karnataka government's Best Science Communicator Award for 2012.

Though the structure was prepared in 2010, Limca Book of Records recognised the achievement in March 2012 after a thorough scrutiny and sent a certificate in this connection to Mr. Shastry.

WEIGHS 26 KG

The bank staff prepared 5X10-inch origami units at their own locations. The units were assembled on the bank's premises at Electronics City in Bangalore to form the largest jointly made origami structure weighing 26 kg.

The exercise, which started on July 1, 2010, took nine days to complete. Nearly 25 employees of the bank's Bangalore branch gave the final touches to the structure under Mr. Shastry's guidance.

UNIT ORIGAMI

“The special feature of the structure was that unit origami was used for the first time to make such a structure,” Mr. Shastry, a bank employee and author of many books on science, told The Hindu.

The Limca Book of Records has recognised it as the largest jointly made origami structure in the country.

TEAMWORK

“The venture was taken up to foster and reinforce the importance of teamwork in any field,” he said lauding the bank staff for their work. Origami could be used to promote team spirit, Mr. Shastry said, and added that students would also benefit from it if the art was employed in teaching.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3330599.ece

Travel in BMTC buses set to become smarter
BMTC has already floated tenders for the intelligent transport system (ITS) project, which is already in the final stage of implementation in Mysore.
Passengers to get real-time update on arrival of buses under ITS

http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2012/04/21/243675_thump.jpg


Travel in Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses is set to become a smarter experience for residents who are braving delays and overcrowding.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243675/travel-bmtc-buses-set-become.html


Mysore and bangalore rock!!!

Raghu Dixit to gift a lungi to the Queen


http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/2011/12/7a65243b-49af-4840-be0d-611868674c76MediumRes.JPG

Folk rockstar Raghu Dixit
He had all the options in the world to gift to the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh, but he chose a lungi. “I will take her one of my signature lungis, something she can remember our performance by,” says folk fusion singer Raghu Dixit, 37, who is the only Indian invited to perform at the Queen of England’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant in Windsor Castle in Berkshire on May 13.

“It’s a great honour to be invited to perform for the Queen, and anytime I am told that I am representing India and the only Indian in the list, it feels a little overwhelming ... I will give my 100%,” says Dixit.

The Mysore-based singer will perform his popular number Mysore Se Aayi with over 550 horses, dancers from the noted Nritarutya school and performers from across the world to celebrate 60 years of the reign of the Queen. “I hope she gets up and jumps along to Mysore Se Aayi like the rest of the world does,” he says.

His songs will be modified a little for the royal performance. “I will be backed by a 70 piece orchestra that is learning the music score for the song. That is something I had never imagined would happen with my song!”

He says his rehearsal schedule is very hectic, and that this year has been very busy for him. “We’ve played over 40 shows in the first three months of the year, so we were constantly on the road. Once I am back, I want to immerse myself in completing my second album, which I am really excited about,” he says.

Dixit is currently in UK working on a musical — A Tale Retold, which comprises 15 songs and is produced by British Council and Southbank Centre. “I’ll be back in India next week.”

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/Raghu-Dixit-to-gift-a-lungi-to-the-Queen/Article1-843562.aspx

Mysoreans always boast of Mysore,be it even on Moon we shall leave the Namma Mysore mark..... Mysore rocks

Queen sings Mysore se ayi :lol:

Rock on Mysorea....:cheers:

Tea to be declared national drink

http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Tea-to-be-declared-national-drink-Montek/articleshow/12809997.cms

irony we don't have a national language yet :)

schengen visas already there.

Ya, German Consulate is at Richmond Road from where I had got my Schengen Visa..

Tea to be declared national drink

http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Tea-to-be-declared-national-drink-Montek/articleshow/12809997.cms

irony we don't have a national language yet :)

Good, Tea or Chai (Chaya in my language) is our primary drink...And I drink black tea at home, its good for health.

Eventhough officially not conferred, Hindi is more like the National language across India. It helps to manage life in Bangalore when I encounter a person who doesn't know English. (Today at Orion launch also, the only Indian music heard was bollywood songs)

Anyway our Kerala school state syllabus had taught us that 'Hindi Hamari Rashtra Basha hai'. I personally don't find any issue with that.

Good, Tea or Chai (Chaya in my language) is our primary drink...And I drink black tea at home, its good for health.

Eventhough officially not conferred, Hindi is more like the National language across India. It helps to manage life in Bangalore when I encounter a person who doesn't know English. (Today at Orion launch also, the only Indian music heard was bollywood songs)

Anyway our Kerala school state syllabus had taught us that 'Hindi Hamari Rashtra Basha hai'. I personally don't find any issue with that.

Great to see u type in hindi brigadier...:)

Has TN been getting excess water from state for 20 years?

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/has-tn-been-getting-excess-water-state-20-years-008




Complete water supply work, orders urban development minister (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-21/bangalore/31378579_1_tk-halli-water-supply-harohalli-and-tataguni)
TNN Apr 21, 2012, 04.09AM IST
BANGALORE: Urban development minister S Suresh Kumar on Friday directed contractors of the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme Stage IV (Phase 2) to complete all work by June end so water supply can commence immediately.

"Set deadlines. If need be, hire more people. The project was scheduled to be commissioned by March 2012 for which work started in 2005. We should not delay it anymore,'' he said. Contractors had cited shortage of labour as the reason for delay.

This project will supply 500MLD (million litres per day) [6 TMC] to the newly added BBMP areas and outskirts of Bangalore, catering to about 26 lakh people. Currently, BWSSB supplies 900MLD [12 TMC] to core areas of the city and faces a shortage of 500MLD. The project draws water from Cauvery, over a distance of 172km. There are three pumping stations on the way -- at TK Halli, Harohalli and Tataguni.
Karnataka allotted 270 TMC of cauvery water in tribunal verdict 10% of which is enough for bangalore mysore together :cheers: If this project is finished it will increase water supply to bangalore by 50% and tanker business guys will lose business

What all areas are covered under Cauvery stage 4?

Great to see u type in hindi brigadier...:)

Vinod, you should be visiting 'Chaibar' threads to see more:-)

Karnataka allotted 270 TMC of cauvery water in tribunal verdict 10% of which is enough for bangalore mysore together :cheers: If this project is finished it will increase water supply to bangalore by 50% and tanker business guys will lose business

Mysore is city is going to get 24*7 water from Kabini by this june end something which every bangalorean has to cheer about,much of Mysore's total water supply is going to come from kabini rivier,in that case pressure on cauvery eases.

Bangalore might get more water from Mysore's tank. :lol:

What all areas are covered under Cauvery stage 4?

CAUVERY WATER SUPPLY SCHEME STAGE IV PHASE II to bring in 500 MLD POTABLE WATER
Preliminary preparation for CWSS stage IV Phase II have been completed with funding arrangements from JBIC.Tendering of the project is scheduled for 2004 – 2005 .Project is slated to be completed by 2009-2010. Total estimated cost of the Project is Rs.3200 Crores.

Link (http://bwssb.org/?p=717)

There were announcements earlier that 7 CMCs & 1 TMC (amalgamated with BBMP) will all be provided Cauvery water under this.

Does that include Whitefield?

Does that include Whitefield?

this project is not area specific, overall water supply to bangalore will increase by more than 50%.. I guess recycled water will be given to whitefield singapore style :lol:

Mysore is city is going to get 24*7 water from Kabini by this june end something which every bangalorean has to cheer about,much of Mysore's total water supply is going to come from kabini rivier,in that case pressure on cauvery eases.

Bangalore might get more water from Mysore's tank. :lol:

kabini is tributary to kaveri, so it is included in ka tn dispute.. so it doesn't matter much.

Does that include Whitefield?

The CMCs are: Byatarayanpura, Yelahanka, KR Puram, Mahadevapra, Dasarahalli, RR Nagar, Bommanahalli. The TMC is Kengeri.

BWSSB webpage (http://bwssb.org/?p=719)

Whitefield falls under KR Puram & Mahadevapura & is hence included.

Yes, supply to entire city is being attempted to be improved, in addition to piped water /sewerage to newly added CMCs /TMC.

I don't see any pipelines being laid east of marathalli though!

Currently pipelines are being laid along parts of ORR (eg. Bellandur gate). Maybe they will start pipe-laying east of Marathalli later.

250km from Bangalore, this tribe still has to live on trees

MADIKERI: At a time when man is looking at setting foot on Mars, a tribe living about 250km from technology hub Bangalore has trees as home. They have lived this way for more than six decades.

Around 40 people belonging to Jenu Kuruba tribe in Banavara village of Somwarpet taluk have made trees their home. They skillfully climb trees to reach their wooden homes - often as high as 50-60 feet - where they live in families of up to six members.

"They have been living this way for the past 65 years, but nobody seems to be bothered about it, be it local administration or the government," said Roy David, secretary of the Coorg Organization for Rural Development, an NGO.

"It's as if they are still living in the Stone Age." Interestingly, they vote during elections, easily falling to the lure of liquor offered by politicians.

"We are fed up of living like this, but can't help it," said Ajju, a Jenu Kurubas. Other members of the tribe like Kencha, Shankara, Lingaraju, Shivabasappa and Kala echoed him. No child from any of the 16 Jenu Kuruba families goes to school.

Some of the tribals have built thatched huts on the ground close to their tree houses for their women. But it seems to make more sense to continue living on trees as it protects them from marauding elephants. The tree houses double as watch towers for the men to alert the women about the movement of elephants.

The Jenu Kurubas, who number one lakh and are largely located in the Karnataka Western Ghats, are excellent hunters and fishermen. But like city dwellers, they face a serious drinking water problem. They routinely trek 2-3 km to fetch water.

"The tribals should get community rights. They should be provided basic minimum facilities," said David.

When contacted, local MLA Appachu Ranjan said he would soon visit the area and make efforts to improve the living conditions of the tree dwellers. "I have asked officials to submit a report and recommend necessary action," he said.

Times View

That people still have to live on trees is absolutely shameful. The condition of the Jenu Kurubas of Banavara village, unchanged for 65 years, reflects the neglect of voiceless people - a rot that has crept into our system. Successive governments, elected representatives and bureaucrats are to blame for this sorry state of affairs. What is particularly galling is that these tribals vote in elections, but reap no fruits of democracy. At least now, people in power should wake up and provide basic living conditions to this hapless community.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/250km-from-Bangalore-this-tribe-still-has-to-live-on-trees/articleshow/12816928.cms

Village fests by the IT city

As spring gives way to an oppressively hot summer, habitations within the IT city and on its outskirts get decked up for festivals of local deities or erstwhile village deities dating back to the time when these localities were villages or hamlets.

Commonly known as 'oora habbas' (village festivals/ fairs), they may be one-village affairs or celebrated by a cluster of villages. At one level, they serve as reminders that our global IT hub, at heart, is after all an agglomeration of villages.

To get a first-hand feel of an oora habba, STOI visited Addiganahalli, located about 10km from the Bengaluru International Airport and Puttenahalli in JP Nagar, 15km from Vidhana Soudha. Addiganahalli is at the epicentre of the Patalamma festival in surrounding villages including Rajanakunte, Chokkanahalli, Tarahunase, Nagadasanahalli and Sadenahalli.

The localities wear a festive look on these special days. Roads or portions of roads that are not asphalted are sprinkled with cow dung mixed with water. Festoons of mango leaves dot the skies and offer protection from the noon heat. Banana plant stems tied to electric poles, tree trunks and pillars on the front yards of houses add a joyful air, as do the colourful cloth bands tied to the horns of cattle.

Women dressed in silk saris carry kalasas (bronze vessels containing arecanut and paddy sapling) and pay a visit to the deity. This one day in the year, all doors are thrown open to guests - no questions asked.

Groups of people in bright new clothes chat merrily. Explaining the genesis of oora habba, Ajjappa, 85-year old priest of Goddess Patalamma in Addiganahalli, says, "This festival has been been celebrated since time immemorial. In olden days, it marked the harvest of ragi. Now, we usually celebrate it a fortnight after Ugadi or a week after Sriramanavami." Diseases like cholera used to be rampant during summer, and many of these fairs and yajnas were held to ward off the evil eye from the village, Ajjappa adds. "We also pray for a good monsoon," he says.

According to MV Vasu, associate professor, history department, Bangalore University, "Village /locality festivals celebrated in and around Bangalore city go back a long way and have been continuously celebrated from 200 to 2,000 years. There is no caste, creed, religion or ideological colour to them. These festivals originated from the annual worship of local goddesses like Maramma, Choudeshwari, Patalamma, Annamma, Plagueamma and not Sanskritized gods and goddess."

The high point of the festivities is the afternoon feast. Non-vegetarian food is the flavour in most households. Nati koli (country/native fowl) curry, roast, mutton curry, fish fry and pork are part of the menu with the staple ragi mudde making up the main course.

Each individual household has its own menu. Some households restrict themselves to chicken dishes, while others have mutton or pork. Guests can wander between households, sampling delicacies from various kitchens.

KR Hanumanthe Gowda, a 62-year old resident of Addiganahalli, says, "Urbanization has not affected our festival. In fact, the number of our guests has increased and the turnout for lunch is getting bigger. Even those who have recently moved into our localities have started celebrating the festival."

Within and around Bangalore, oora habbas are observed in Mavalli, Katriguppe, Jalahalli, J P Nagar, Sampangiramanagar, Hosahalli, Shivanagar and many other localities. As one goes outside the city, the celebrations turn more intense with villages on the outskirts of Greater Bangalore still retaining their idyllic charm. There, celebrations are usually spread out over several days.

While places like Addiganahalli celebrate the oora habba for over a week, in Kadirenahalli, situated in south Bangalore, the celebrations last 15 days.

Quote hanger

Village festivals may be offshoots of the fertility cult. There used to be goddesses for agriculture, disease and protection of village, among others. The belief was that these deities would protect the village from all kinds of evils, external aggression, diseases and natural disasters. An annual ritual was celebrated to appease these deities. Bangaloreans continuing the system is nothing but cultural memory, which means the system dictates to us without our knowledge.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Village-fests-by-the-IT-city/articleshow/12816903.cms

IT hub sets the tone for internet freedom movement

BANGALORE: Gen Next is getting ready for a face off with the Centre. Agitated youngsters comprising techies and engineering students gathered at Town Hall on Saturday evening shouting slogans against anticipated curbs on internet freedom. They say the new regulation, Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, will endanger internet in the country. Youngsters feel their ire will soon strike a chord with youngsters across all metros. Just before Parliament is set to discuss the regulations, the software hub has become the first city to kick off a movement for internet freedom.

Members of the Software Freedom Movement Karnataka (SFMK) who were part of the protest and were supported by students from five engineering colleges, told TOI they don't want the newly-notified rule to be implemented. "All content, even the deeply private ones, will be tracked in the name of monitoring offensive content. This will curb your most basic instincts and freedom," said Navin M, joint secretary of the movement.

The new rules, Navin claimed, will make web companies, social networking sites, cyber cafes and any internet service provider liable for punishment for permitting offensive content or content the government deems offensive. "The definition of offensive is deeply subjective and all content may come under its ambit which endangers our right to basic emotional expression. The companies and sites will have to follow government policy and will impose restrictions on web use by deploying filters. The government will ask the sites to ensure that certain kinds of content just don't show up. We're anxious this may include all forms of legitimate disagreements and protests."

The members of the movement say there are already Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regulations that could be deployed to eliminate offensive content. "No new regulations are required." The new IT regulation notified in April 2011 will come up for discussion in Parliament in the coming week.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/IT-hub-sets-the-tone-for-internet-freedom-movement/articleshow/12816895.cms

VFS Global opens Thai visa application centre in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Chanchai Charanvatnakit, Consul General, Royal Thai Consulate General, Chennai, on Saturday announced the launch of a new service here for collection of visa applications and delivery process through VFS Global's Thailand Visa Application Centre (Thai VAC).

VFS Global will manage and operate the Thai VAC at Prestige Atrium, Central Street.

VFS Global has been associated with the Government of Thailand in India and Bangladesh since 2005, providing similar services in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Chennai and Hyderabad in India, and in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet in Bangladesh.

The Centre will be responsible for accepting applications for Thai visas from applicants in Bangalore as well as other parts of Karnataka. All applications will continue to be assessed and processed by Royal ThaiConsulate General, Chennai.

The key features of the Centre will be longer operating hours, dedicated website for easy access, visa information including visa types, applicable fees and application status, professional and responsive staff dedicated to handle visa queries, dedicated call centre unit, email support and door step delivery of passports.

"There is an increase in the number of Indians visiting Thailand each year, especially from Southern India for both business and tourism. It is to meet this requirement that we have partnered with VFS Global to expand the centre in Bangalore," Charanvatnakit said.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/VFS-Global-opens-Thai-visa-application-centre-in-Bangalore/articleshow/12797847.cms

Greying green lands

Vegetable growers in and around the City are selling off their farmlands to real estate barons, triggering shortage and price escalation

Bangalore, the erstwhile green city, had every reason to be proud of its home-grown vegetables. The variety was rich enough to immensely boost that pride. No longer. In recent years, the prices of greens have shot up so much that cost stabilisation is nowhere in sight.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/04/22/farming.gif

The harried, clueless consumers are asking a million questions. But the answers aren’t far away: Increasing urban sprawl depleting the green feeder zones around the City, disappearing lakes, delayed pre-monsoon showers, and the depleting groundwater table. Sadly, nothing has been done to arrest the unbridled, scary development.

Barely 12 years ago, the City sourced its greens and vegetables from its feeder zones. Despite the depleting water level, lakes recharged the water table and kept the farmers going. The City’s demand of about 3,000 tonnes of vegetables per day was met by employing various techniques such as drip irrigation. But with the City’s economy changing drastically, the trend shifted from agriculture to real estate. Arid land meant for cultivation was converted to either residential layouts or industries.

Years of this unchecked growth has put Bangalore in a tight spot. The City’s markets are struggling to meet the growing demand and sell at affordable prices. As the Horticulture Producers Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society (Hopcoms), agriculture scientists and horticulture officers confirm the year-to-year vegetable prices have increased three to four times in the past five years. This year, it is creating new records.

For instance, the price of tomato has touched Rs 31 per kilogram. French beans sell at Rs 45 a kg on an average. Prices of brinjal (both white and black), cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cucumber and okra have witnessed a drastic increase in price, pinching the pockets of even the middle class and upper middle class.

According to B V Chikkanna, president, Hopcoms, rapid urbanisation around Bangalore district, mainly in Anekal, Devanahalli, Bidadi, Ramanagaram and Hoskote, has severely reduced vegetable cultivation leading to decreased production this year. “Farmers do not have the land or water to grow vegetables due to groundwater depletion and delayed pre-monsoon showers. There is a dearth of labourers, mainly unskilled workers, who prefer to work in the City than in farms,” he explains.

Gone are the days when Bangaloreans got their vegetables from nearby places such as Kolar and Whitefield, says Mohammed Idrees Choudary, general secretary, Russel Market Traders’ Association. Areas within a radius of 100 km around the City have almost stopped growing vegetables. “Very few cultivators are left now in remote pockets. The meagre number of cultivators cannot meet the growing demand of the City. Even the vegetables they send to the City are bought by five-star hotels as first preference,” he says.

Parvez Ahmed, secretary, Vegetable Traders’ Association, says the City’s demand is met by cultivators from distant locations. “We get our vegetables from Hyderabad, Ooty, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad. We used to get the best varieties of ridge gourd, okra, chow-chow, beans and carrot right here once. Carrot sourced from the Bangalore Rural district was the best.

It was so tasty that people preferred them to make sweet (halwa). Now, the carrot we get from Tamil Nadu is so insipid. Bangalore’s own varieties of brinjal and tomato and even those from Kolar have vanished,” he notes.

Pattern change

Experts blame the non-availability of vegetables to the change in land-use patterns. Water resources are drying up. The IT sector has eaten into thousands of acres of agricultural land on Hosur Road, Electronics City, Whitefield and Varthur areas, directly or indirectly.

If thousands of acres of land have been given away to corporates, thrice that area have been converted into residential zones. Luxury apartments, villas and gated communities have mushroomed on the land which once grew vegetables and fruits to meet the City’s needs. Venkatapura, Uppahalli near Hoskote, and Boodhihala near Devanahalli are replete with gated communities and villa projects.

A study by T V Ramachandra, senior scientist, Energy and Wetland Research Centre, Centre for Ecological Sciences, the Indian Institute of Sciences, revealed that the built-up area in the City had increased by 466 per cent between 1973 and 2007. He says Varthur and Kolar are facing water crisis and agricultural lands have shrunk in places around Bangalore.

“Areas connecting Kanakapura, Anekal, Varthur and Hosur have lost agricultural lands. Kolar, which catered to the City’s vegetable demands, and Varthur, which supplied vegetables like cabbage, carrot and beans to at least 15-20 per cent of the City’s population, have turned in concrete jungles,” he said.

“Once vegetables were cultivated in Varthur using sewage water. Even that is gone now,” Ramachandra points out. The groundwater level has dropped to almost 1,200 feet in Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Devanahalli region.

Devanahalli and Hoskote taluks, which catered to the City’s vegetable needs for ages, have lost most of their land to industries and projects such as Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). If the government allocated over 15,000 acres to BIA, private residential layouts and road projects consumed twice that area. Several lakes and tanks which kept farms green are lost forever, and the water level has gone deeper.

In Hoskote, many farmers feel cultivation of vegetables cannot sustain their livelihood. “The labour cost is high, who wants to pay Rs 300 per day and cultivate. The factories set up here have increased the cost of livelihood. Even if we invest in it, we are not sure about the crop,” reasons a farmer.

Citing the example of the early 2000s when potato seedlings failed to yield, Yelappa, a farmer from Ulsahalli in Kasaba hobli, says, “Even after cultivation, we are neither sure of the crops sustaining themselves nor is there a guarantee of getting a good price for the produce.”

Farmlands sold

Most farmers see land conversion and sale of agricultural land as a way out. The soaring real estate price has made its impact on several villages of Hoskote as farmers are selling their patch of land to afford the luxury of urban life. The villages of Thimmasandra, Wabalpura, Bettahalli, Doddadenhalli, Jadigenhalli, Sulebele, Venkatapura have turned into concrete jungles. Abandoned lands, dried-up lakes are a common sight in many of these places.

The only silver lining seems to be some farmers in Devanahalli who want to continue with agriculture, taking it as a challenge. “Despite the loss of land to real estate and the international airport, there has been surprisingly an increase in agriculture activities. But the challenge here is water scarcity and depletion of groundwater.

It started in the mid-nineties. The water level dropped to 500 feet in the late nineties and it dipped further to 750 feet in the year 2000. Now, it has almost reached 1,000 feet in 2011. By 2015, the farmers of Devanahalli, Kolar and Chikkaballapur will have to migrate elsewhere,” says Shivanapura Ramesh, a farmer from Devanahalli.

According to him, mainly government land and dryland used for Nilgiri plantation were given for the airport project. But he too sees the water crisis as a far bigger challenge. “There is a scarcity of rainfall by about 20 per cent since 1993 in this region. All our lakes are dry. Then where is the question of recharging groundwater,” he wonders.

To make matters worse, the dry spell during this summer has made vegetables costlier for Bangaloreans. Narayana Gowda, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore, notes: “We have the longest dry spell this year. Farmers in Kolar and parts of the Bangalore Rural district have declared crop holidays. Two-thirds of Kolar’s tomato-growing area are gone.”

“If there is no rainfall within the next 15 days, we will face severe drinking water crisis,” he cautioned. “There is a need for change in the cropping pattern in places such as Kolar, which are not feasible for commercial crops. The other factors driving up the cost of vegetables and availability are non-availability of labour, increase in the cost of fertilisers, and the younger generation shying away from agriculture,” he said.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243877/greying-green-lands.html

Real estate returns lure away next gen from farming

On his barren agricultural land, only weeds grow these days. But that doesn’t worry Ramanna anymore. He is full of gratitude for his ancestors who left have behind a property, which in the next few years, he hopes, would change his fortune.

Till a few years ago, Ramanna’s father Eerappa and his uncles used to cultivate vegetables and pulses in their land at Talaghattapura on Kanakapura Road. With the demise of Eerappa and his brothers, their children lost interest in farming as no one was ready to toil all through the day for a paltry return.

“I did farming for quite some time and gave up because the returns were too less. Then I joined a private factory, worked there for a few years, and quit. These days our family focuses mainly on real estate business,” says Ramanna.

Some two decades ago, Ramanna’s was a joint family comprising 20 members. They together shared 20 acres of agricultural land. The family enjoyed farming, but as time passed by and land prices shot up, they split, and the land divided. Like his brothers and cousins, all that Ramanna got was just two acres. But he is now more than content with his share, as builders are making a beeline for his property.

“We are getting a lot of queries from builders, but the price they offer is not what we expect. We will wait for some more time,” says Ramanna.

In this grim scenario, Somanahalli presents a ray of hope where farming is still a passion among people who have employed labourers to take care of their farms. But as the labour cost is shooting up, many farm owners are switching to tree plantation, given its minimum maintenance and rich returns.

This is true of Hoskote, Gauribidnur and Koodlu and other places which used to be the main source of vegetables for the City.

On a visit to Muthsandra on the City outskirts, Deccan Herald stumbled upon some more problems farmers around Bangalore face. T V Reddy, who owns 100 acres, says chemical fertilisers most farmers use these days do not help the produce; rather it dries up the flower before it matures into a fruit. The only reason farmers are now forced to use chemical fertilisers is the lack of labour to produce their own natural fertilisers.

Reddy says the government’s initiative to help labourers by subsidising the price of rice to Re 1/kg is a major factor for them to stick to farming. The labour cost today is Rs 250-300 for six hours of work, which means with two days of work, one member of the family can buy grains for the entire month, giving them no real reason to work any more than two days.

With Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha promising free grains to the poor, most labourers from the neighbouring State have now stopped coming to work in fields in Bangalore, says Reddy.
Besides, major water sources are contaminated and despite the government’s claim it would facilitate clean water, no action has been taken so far.
With fluctuating supply of certain crops, regular farmers suffer heavy losses due to the unexpected farming of “expensive” crops by a few others.

Reddy, a member of the Muthsandra Gram Panchayat, suggested that every commodity the farmer produces should have a minimum price to keep his hopes high and preserve one of the most primitive and primary occupations.

Narayana Gowda, Vice-Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore

Urban areas have encroached upon the rural areas. The lifestyle in rural areas has changed. They too want to enjoy the luxury of urban people and the only way to achieve this is by making use of the increasing land price and selling their agricultural land. This is creating a scarcity for agriculture land. However, the ground water depletion is the primary problem, urbanisation comes next.


Anuradha Rao, Housewife

Increase in the price of vegetables is surely of concern to me. But vegetables are unavoidable basic necessities. Hence, in order to compensate, we have curtailed our outings to restaurants and other
luxuries.
HAVE YOUR SAY

Let us know what you feel about issues covered in Intense City week after week. Mail your suggestions, feedbacks and views to intensecity@deccanherald.co.in. Selected letters will be published in appropriate column

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243875/real-estate-returns-lure-away.html

Inter-modal transport hub still a distant dream

Project was to link BMTC bus terminal with Metro, KSRTC, rly stn

Three years after its conceptualisation, the much-talked about Inter-Modal Transport Hub project of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in Majestic is yet to kick off.


The hub, said to be the first of its kind in the country, is aimed at linking the BMTC bus terminus with the proposed Namma Metro, along with a long distance bus terminus of the KSRTC and the City railway station.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Jagadish Chandra, Chief Civil Engineer, KSRTC, said the Corporation is in the process of evaluating the bidder, who has come forward to take up the project.

When asked how many bidders had evoked interest in the project, Jagadish said only one
consortium has responded to the global tender and pre-bid meetings were on with the company.

Sources in the KSRTC said this was the second time the Corporation had called for tenders for the project and there was not much response for it. A senior official in KSRTC said bidders were finding complications with the commercial and revenue issues of the project, which the Corporation was in the process of sorting out.

On 40 acres of land

The Rs 1,600-crore project, being taken up by KSRTC on a public-private partnership basis, is designed to come up on 40 acres land belonging to the Corporation in Majestic. KSRTC sources said even after the implementing agency is finalised, it would take nine months to seal the financial deal with the company. Once ground work starts, it would take another five years for the project to complete.

When the project tenders were floated initially, companies such as Gammon Infra, GMR Group and Tata Realty had shown interest in taking up the project. However, the project did not take off as no company was finalised and the final bid for the project, scheduled for the end of December 2011, did not work out.

Urban planner Dr A S Kodanda Pani said such projects, which are important for integrating mass transport modes of the City, should be taken on priority and needs to be finished faster.
He said due to delay in implementation, the estimated cost of the project had gone up by at least Rs 100 crore from its initial cost estimate of Rs 1,500 crore.

Pani said delay in completion of the project also affected the underground works of the Metro that needed to pass through Majestic area and connect Magadi Road.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243914/inter-modal-transport-hub-still.html

Demand to remove BEML Chairman

BANGALORE: Janata Dal (United) members threatened to stage a protest against BEML Chairman and MD V R S Natarajan.
Speaking to media on Satudary, S Gundanna, president (Labour Wing) JD(U) Karnataka, demanded the removal of V R S Natarajan.
Gundanna, a former employee of BEML, accused the MD of unfair practices.
Natarajan is also accused of interfering in the house building co-operative society of BEML.
If the MD is not removed, we will stage a protest, Gundanna said.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/demand-to-remove-beml-chairman/384676.html

State to build 22 new fire stations

BANGALORE: In a bid to encourage fire department personnel, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda assured group insurance and quarters for their families. He also promised to increase the amount of compensation given in case of death during the operations.
He was speaking after distributing CM’s Medal to 46 fire department personnel and 49 home guards at an event held at RA Mundkur Fire and Emergency Services Academy on Bannerghatta Road on Friday. He said the government is ready to meet their demands under the special grant.
In his speech, Home Minister R Ashok said that 22 new fire stations will be built shortly across the state and Bangalore will get six new fire stations. Also the government is planning to buy new fire tenders and advanced equipment. “As of now the insurance coverage for fire personnel, is limited to `6 lakh. Now we are planning to increase it to `25 lakh,” he added. DG & IGP A R Infant, who is also heading the Fire and Emergency service department, IGP Shivakumar and Director of Fire and Emergency service department BG Chengappa were present.
The fire department personnel submitted a memorandum to the CM.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/State-to-build-22-new-fire-stations/384393.html

Release Rs.2,000 crore for drought: Eshwarappa

SHIMOGA : The state has been hit by severe drought in all 123 taluks and the Centre should release `2,000 crore immediately, urged state BJP president KS Eshwarappa.
He said that Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, G Parmeswer and Motamma, JD(S) leaders, including former CM Kumaraswamy, besides BJP leaders, including Yeddyurappa and ministerial teams, visited the drought-hit areas. Everybody has understood the severity of drought. The government has sought monetary aid of `4,500 crore at the all-party meeting held in Bangalore on April 19. One should not politicise the drought issue, he said. The state government received an additional fund of `70 crore, besides its usual share from the Centre.
He said additional charges will be given to ministers who have portfolios and the Cabinet expansion will be taken up after getting direction from Central leaders.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/release-rs2000-crore-for-drought-eshwarappa/384429.html

‘If Centre fails to give grants, will interfere’

BANGALORE: Governor H R Bhardwaj stated that he would intervene if any injustice is meted out to Karnataka on providing drought relief grants.
“The state government is seeking funds but if the Centre fails to provide grants as per the rules for drought management, then I will interfere,” Bhardwaj said on the sidelines of a function here on Friday.
The Governor continued that all aspects of the grants were discussed at an all-party meeting, where even the Opposition leaders voiced their views.
“I have heard that an all-party delegation will head to Delhi... the Centre is expected to provide grants,” he explained.
He, however, parried questions on the BJP’s poor handling of the drought, and said: “I am no Congress spokesperson... party heads should answer these questions.”
Also present were former Governor V S Ramadevi, Commissioner of Department of Kannada and Culture Manu Baligar, Deputy Director General of DD Kendra Mahesh Joshi and Leeladevi R Prasad.
Guv Decries Poor Woman Empowerment
The Governor decried the phenomenon of women being confined to their households during the inaugural of Akkamahadevi Jayanti Amrutotsava and Guru Vandane programme here on Friday. “Women today should follow the philosopher Basavanna, and take more responsibility. Even in the olden days, women were qualified and would handle various roles. Somehow, women empowerment has not happened largely... they must achieve success outside the households,” he said.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/%E2%80%98if-centre-fails-to-give-grants-will-interfere%E2%80%99/384426.html

Make room for more India

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INCREDIBLE INDIA All gift wrapped and ready

SHOPPING The Bombay Store, which epitomises contemporary Indian with a traditional touch, opens another store in town

Bombay Store always brings to mind the warm colours of the earth and the muted yellow glow of the sun. And now they come back to the heart of the city and make their presence felt at 1 M.G. Mall on Swami Vivekananda Road. The store is spread out over 2,000 square feet, and is contemporary while maintaining a rustic elegance and classic style. Against the brown tones of the store, the coloured cushions and candlesticks are everything you will make mental notes to find room for in your home.

With a history that began in the early 1900's while India was still under the British rule and the concept of “swadeshi” had significance, The Bombay Store began as Bombay Swadeshi Co-Op Stores Co. Ltd. Rechristened in 1995, the Bombay Store caters to the audience of India 2.0, one with a contemporary mindset, fuelled by the tradition in which it remains rooted.

The retail chain arrived in Bangalore in 2000 and have since found a market and built a steady base that looks forward to what the store has to offer in terms of lifestyle products that epitomise Indian culture. “We are privileged to share the address of M.G. Road again, from where we eventually began our journey in Bangalore way back in 2000. With a fair understanding on customer tastes of Bangaloreans it is our endeavour to open more stores at strategic locations in the coming years,” says Asim Dalal, Managing Director of The Bombay Store.

The collection is wide and takes care of any household need you might have, starting from table cloths to furniture, incense sticks and handbags with the faces of yesteryear Bollywood stars. They have a variety of products for every style statement — be it kitsch, pop, suave or flamboyant.

While the Bombay Store is working actively on expanding within the nation, the company is also tapping into the overseas markets over the next three years and have identified Singapore, Dubai and London as their countries of interest.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/society/article3339557.ece

Directorate planned to regulate groundwater exploitation

To regulate exploitation of groundwater both in rural and urban areas, the State government has proposed to establish an exclusive directorate.

Minister for Urban Development and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) S. Suresh Kumar, who held a meeting with officials at the BWSSB office on Saturday, said there was a need to set up a directorate. “Another high-level meeting will be held on April 26 where a final decision on setting up the directorate will be taken. The directorate will function under the Department of Mines and Geology,” he said.

Rules for the Karnataka Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill, 2011, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly in March last year, would be framed soon, the Minister said. Asserting that States such as Maharashtra, Punjab, New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, had already enacted a legislation to regulate exploitation of groundwater, the Minister said the rules would help in controlling exploitation of groundwater especially in the notified areas of the State.

The Minister said he was aware of the private water tanker mafia. “The new rules will ensure that people do not drill borewells indiscriminately. Tanker owners who run a water business will henceforth have to compulsorily maintain documents pertaining to the source of water, to whom it is supplied, at what cost and whether the water has been tested by the appropriate authority,” he said.

Deputy commissioners of Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Chickballapur, Kolar and Tumkur districts along with regional transport officers, police officers and officials from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and the BWSSB would deliberate upon these issues at the proposed April 26 meeting, the Minister added.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3340322.ece

BEML MD faces more charges

The JD (U) is all set to brew up more trouble for VRS Natarajan, chairman and MD of BEML, who is mired in the controversy surrounding the procurement of Tatra trucks.

S Gundanna, president (labour wing) JD (U) explained that the party’s national president Sharad Yadav had promised to take up the issue to the Centre.“During my tenure, I observed the interference of Natarajan in every little matter. After taking over BEML, his first job was to blackmail the office-bearers and the directors of the cooperative society into allotting sites at prime locations for himself and his relatives. Further, Natarajan threatened illegal transfers of employees to Guwahati, Asansol and other remote places.As for as Tatra scam is concerned, I can vouch that Natarajan is capable of manipulating and destroying allevidence,” said Gundanna.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_beml-md-faces-more-charges_1679077

Vision 2030: Superpower India

April 23, 2012 DC


http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/23AGNI-2.jpg.crop_display.jpg
Indigenous Agni-V missile’s successful testing has inspired several Indians to dream of a better and powerful India. It has also inspired a few enterprising netizens to make fictional videos depicting India as an economic superpower.

A video clip titled India in 2030, inspired by the Kannada film Super, is gaining a lot of popularity. The seven-minute YouTube video portrays a new India 18 years hence. A Briton alights from a British Airways plane which was scheduled to land at Bengaluru airport but is diverted to Mysore due to bad weather. On landing, he finds himself in a city dotted with skyscrapers, foreigners lining up for employment and the world preferring the Indian rupee over the British and American currencies.

Though the video has been in circulation for quite sometime now, the success of the Agni-V missile has apparently led to the video going viral. Mayuukh Vashney, a student, said, “I think producing videos such as Indian in 2030 is the people’s way of showing their enthusiasm and love for the country. Such events definitely inspire us.”

After the successful Agni-V test, several online forums saw Indians involved in verbal duels with Chinese nationals over the capability of the missile. And a feeling of elation among Indians was clearly visible. P.V.S. Chandra Sekhar, a chartered accountant, thinks it is only natural for people to celebrate their country’s success. “We always feel joyous when our country achieves something because it is also, in a way, our own success.” Whether or not India becomes a superpower by 2030, Agni-V has definitely made Indians proud!

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/115814

Jai Super Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTKcf1AtWlk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Youtube link -super 2030

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTKcf1AtWlk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Youtube link -super 2030

Saw this at IIT M OAT was laughing watching this scene....way to over aagidhae....White servants..nice nice..

^^ floor cleaning people and waiters are whites :lol: this video is racist...


The day after, it’s biz as usual (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/The-day-after-its-biz-as-usual/articleshow/12831392.cms)
TNN | Apr 23, 2012, 05.06AM IST
Malleswaram 13th Cross market was busy as usual on Sunday. Vegetable and flower vendors were back in their stalls, a day after they had literally been cut to size in an anti-encroachment drive.

The BBMP had removed all encroachments put up by vendors in the passages of the 48-year-old market on Saturday. But the loss suffered during the drive weighed heavily on their mind.

'' I incurred a loss of Rs 30,000 on Saturday. They took away all my vegetables and nobody has come back to find out how we are. It doesn't matter now if they offer to give us back our vegetables after paying a fine. They will be of no use because they were thrown haphazardly on to the Palike lorries ,'' said Shiv Kumar, a vendor. '' Who will get me back the fresh flowers that I bought by spending Rs 15,000. Flowers and fruits last only for a day. I have suffered the biggest loss of my life,'' lamented Muniratna M, a flower vendor.

The vendors are also not bothered by all the talk about BBMP's plan to replace the market with a shopping and parking complex. They believe there is a long way to go for all that. For now, their existence is all that mattered.

"Even today my shop has been arranged the way it was yesterday. I have no idea what the drive was all about. The total amount of loss we suffered is Rs 2 lakh. We should be compensated for this,'' N Venkataswamy, president, Malleswaram fruits and vegetable market association, maintained.
After gandhi baazar it is malleswaram bjp govt is after..

Saw this at IIT M OAT was laughing watching this scene....way to over aagidhae....White servants..nice nice..

Background skyscrapers are From shiekh zayed road Dubai, even the metro station :)

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Bangalore's temper soars with scorching sun

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BANGALORE: Research shows that soaring temperature in the city is leading to ill-tempered behaviour among Bangaloreans. Psychologists say increasing tempers and temperature go hand-in-hand.
As per crime records across the city, there has been a steep increase in the number of road rage cases.
An official from the crime department says, “In the last three months, there has been an 80 per cent increase in road rage cases. And most of these cases have been recorded at areas that have slow moving traffic between 10 am and 6 pm.”
Road rage incidents are mainly seen at Jayanagar IV Block, Koramangala Inner Ring Road, Mysore Road, Kengeri, Hosur, Sarjapura and BTM Layout.
As per the Meteorological Department, the city recorded the hottest day of the month on April 5. “There are more hot days ahead, but the pre-monsoon showers are long overdue. We are expecting rains in the next week,” said an MET official.
Psychologist Meenal Sharma says, “The heat has triggered impatience, intolerance and irritation amongst those who travel long hours for work,” she says.
Psychologists also say that most cases of aggression on roads have been reported during peak traffic hours. “A few years ago, road rage was common during the later part of the evening and peak hours starting from 6 pm. Present cases, however, show that there is a steep increase in such cases starting as early as 9 am and becoming worse between 12 noon and 4 pm. This indicates that it is the heat that has led to soaring tempers,” said Arvind Shetty, a research analyst.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/bangalores-temper-soars-with-scorching-sun/384880.html

April 5 hottest day of the year in city

BANGALORE: For Bangaloreans who have been complaining about soaring temperatures this year, the Indian Meteorological Department brings some good news. The MET department has claimed that summer showers will be recorded in city this week.
“Rains are expected in Bangalore this week. However, there were many days this month, where maximum temperature crossed 36 degrees Celsius,” said an officer from the MET department.
While Gulbarga experienced over 43 degree this summer, the hottest day was recorded at 40 degrees Celsius this month. Meanwhile, April 5 was the hottest day of the year in Bangalore, with the temperature crossing 38 degree Celsius, the officer said.
The increasing number of infrastructure projects, traffic congestion and pollution in all forms have made matters worse. “Most of the trees in the city have been cut down to support development. Private builders also have many projects going on and around 50,000 vehicles are being added every month to the city. Bangalore would soon become like Gulbarga, if these things continue,” said Kirtana, an environmentalist.
Meanwhile, matters at Gulbarga are going from bad to worse as the heat continues to affect the district.
Last May, the district recorded the highest maximum temperature in the entire state, going up to 46 degree Celsius.
The MET department earlier this week declared that April was the driest month that Bangalore has had in the last 10 years.
Further, statistics by the Indian MET department also show that in the last 20 years, Bangalore has experienced maximum temperature above 35.5 degree Celsius in the month of March.
source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/April-5-hottest-day-of-the-year-in-city/384881.html

World Earth Day celebrated across the city

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BANGALORE: In an effort to create awareness on global warming and climate change, Geological Society Of India, in association with the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Centre for Human Resource Development organised a walkathon to celebrate World Earth Day on Sunday.
More than 150 students from various schools across the state participated in the rally. Students raised slogans “Save Water, Save Air, Save Earth”. N R Raksha, a class 10 student from The Brigade School, said, “We only celebrate Earth Day every year. We should make every day an Earth Day and should work towards making our planet a better place to live.”
A booklet, ‘Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Development in greater Bengaluru Region’, was released by noted environmentalist Y N Yellappa Reddy and R H Sawkar, secretary, Geological Society of India.
In another event organised by Bharatiya Samaja Seva Trust at All Karnataka Children’s Association on the occasion of ‘World Earth Day’, children planted saplings. Jnanpith awardee Dr Chandrashekar Kambar, who planted sapling along with the children, said, “In the present scenario, we are exploiting earth for our own benefit. It is high time that we started saving our planet.”
Shivamallu, founder of the trust, said, “These kind of events educate children on the effects of global warming and climate change. It will not be shocking if in the near future we would reach a stage where, we would need oxygen cylinders for breathing. To avert such disasters we should grow more trees.”


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/world-earth-day-celebrated-across-the-city/384874.html

Bangalore goes green

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BANGALORE: Namma Bengaluru shows the way and has sent a strong message today about environmental protection by hanging a one-km-long banner at the Cubbon Park. In an attempt to spread awareness on environmental issues and the perils of destroying nature, a unique campaign, the World Environment Campaign was launched in the city as a high profile buildup to the World Environment Day that will be celebrated on June 5 all over the world.
As part of the launch, City Police Commissioner, B G Jyoti Prakash Mirji signed on this huge and environment friendly cloth banner that has been hung in Cubbon Park.
This one-km-long banner will try to create environmental awareness, 45 days ahead of the World Environment Day. Similar banners will be hung over different parts of the country. Signatures of environment experts and artists from various fields will be displayed on this banner. “Environment and health go together. Air pollution, usage of plastic, water pollution and global warming have done enough damage to human lives. Protecting the environment should be the responsibility of all of us. Hence, we have planned this campaign. We request the public to join hands with us. Let us make this campaign a grand success. With this, we should all become environment lovers,” said Srikanth Rao, Director of Bayer’s Coffee.
The banners will contain all environment related information, pictures, slogans, pledges, and signatures of achievers. They will in fact take information to the public. The banners, creating awareness about environment, will be displayed in front of schools, colleges, private and public offices.
In the first week of June, all these banners will be joined together and form a huge 100-km-long banner on Nice Road. “This is the best way to create awareness about environment and draw global attention towards the campaign. We are trying to reach the public across the country at such times and also to convey the reasons and solutions for environmental pollution,” said JC Shankar Patil, Campaign President.
This huge campaign has chalked out various plans for the first week of June; planting 10 lakh plants across the country, take pledge on environmental awareness, try to create awareness among school children about environment issues like air pollution, usage of plastic, and water pollution.
After this campaign, this huge banner cloth will be converted into beds, bed sheets and hand bags for and distributed free of cost to old age homes, Hostels, Hospitals and the other needy people.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/bangalore-goes-green/384746.html

Gold, gold everywhere

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BANGALORE: With Akshaya Tritiya just around the corner (24th April), jewellery stores in Bengaluru have started giving eye catching discounts and offers on gold and diamond jewellery. Since it is an auspicious day for buying gold jewellery and investing in gold, more designs are created using a mixture of yellow gold, white gold, diamonds and gem stones.
With changing trends of people influencing the designs of classic jewellery, designers of big brands like Abharan, Reliance and Forever Mark have released attractive collections of rings, bracelets, bangles and necklaces.
The 'Divine Chants' by Tanishq highlights the traditional values and the modern day values associated with the divine symbol 'Om'. Abharan Jewellers has released an exclusive collection of dull gold jewellery, one of which features goddess Lakshmi.
A leading edge brand, Bluestone.com, which has only an online retail store, has brought out the best of Indian culture through extravagant contemporary designs like the Padmalaya, the Swadha, the Adishakthi and the Sumukha designs. They define their 'ethereal collection' as 'mystically divine'.
Another new age brand, Amrapali, draws its inspiration from the tribes of Jaipur, which is where they procure the rubies, emeralds and other one-of-a-kind gem stones.
To suit the needs of the average man, brands like Gitanjali and Joy Alukkas also have a set of economical gold and diamond jewellery, that are simple yet grand. Even Tanishq brings to its customers, an entire range of affordable diamonds consisting of exquisitely designed finger rings, earrings and pendants that appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers. Speaking about the offer Sandeep Kulhalli, Vice President, Tanishq said, “We at Tanishq are a part of all celebrations and we strive to make Akshaya Tritiya extra special for our customers."
Ashok Kaul, Senior Vice President of Reliance jewels spoke about their latest Solitaire Illusions. "Solitaire look-alike have the finish to look like expensive solitaires but are priced at 25 per cent the cost of the original."

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Gold-gold-everywhere/384753.html

‘State has exceeded job scheme targets’

BANGALORE: The state government has exceeded the target in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and spent over Rs 2,160 crore against the allocation of Rs 1,920 crore for the year 2011-12. However, the Union government allocated another Rs 1,600 crore for a period of six months till September 2012.
Speaking to newsmen here on Thursday, Rural Development and the Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar informed the MGNREGA implementation in the state for the year 2011-12 is 100 per cent.
“The grants would be enhanced further after seeing the progress by the state government,” Shettar said.
He added the Union government released all the pending grants of over Rs 700 crores, for the work done under the MGNREGA scheme for the year 2011-12. The state government released over Rs 550 crore to the Panchayaths. “This amount would enough to clear all the pending bills for the work done,” he said.
Shettar who was also a part of the Cabinet Sub-committee on Drought chaired by the Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, said the committee resolved not to disconnect power from those borewells which supply drinking water to the villages. All the electricity supply companies were directed to give priority to energise all the pending drinking water supply schemes without any further delay.
The committee have also decided to instruct the banks and the co-operative institutions not to press the farmers for the repayment of loans.
Referring to death of five people who were engaged in drought relief work, the minister said he had sought a report from the DC.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/%E2%80%98state-has-exceeded-job-scheme-targets%E2%80%99/383926.html

State notifies new pay structure for its staff

The State government has notified the new pay structure for its employees announced by the Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in 2012-13 budget. The new pay scale has come into effect on April 1, as has been announced.

The notification dated April 21, 2012 has incorporated hike in basic salary, including merger of DA and fitment, and HRA and CCA of the employees. It does not, however, mention anything about other recommendations of the Official Pay Committee, which was constituted to work out a new pay structure to the State government employees.

For instance, the employees are keen to know whether the government has accepted the recommendation to increase the maternity leave from the present 135 days to 180 days. Besides, the Committee has recommended hike in various other allowances that are specific to the nature of work and location of the employee.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244078/state-notifies-pay-structure-its.html

Handbook on State in great demand

Out of print
It’s not on the bestseller list, nor has it gone viral on the net.

Yet, it is one of the most sought after pieces of literature, having caught the fancy of not just KAS aspirants, medical and software professionals, but also corporate houses, all of whom are making a beeline to the nondescript official buildings in Bangalore City to grab themselves a copy of it.

So it’s not surprising if you’ve gone looking for ‘A Handbook of Karnataka’ or its Kannada counterpart, ‘Karnataka Kaipidi’, and have come back empty handed. But don’t be disappointed.

It’s only a matter of a few months before the Karnataka Gazetteer Department replenishes the collection, which it has been publishing for the last 15-odd years. So huge is the demand for the books that presently they are out of stock, said the department’s chief editor Neela Manjunath.

“We have been getting a lot of enquiries, but unfortunately the books are completely sold out. The handbooks are like ready reckoners. It has a lot of basic yet useful information of the State of Karnataka. Though we’ve had steady stream of KAS aspirants and other professionals seeking a copy of the book, of late we have had corporate firms and tourists also making enquiries,” she said.

The department which was earlier planning to revise the handbook has now decided to reprint 3,000 copies each of Kannada and English versions, before incorporating the revisions.

The English handbook was compiled by a group of editors in the department in 1995 when historian Suryanath Kamat was serving as the chief editor. Unlike other gazetteers which have 17 chapters, the handbook has only 14 chapters.

The book had less than 400 pages and was priced at Rs 160. The Kannada version was published during the subsequent year, but the demand for it wasn’t as much as it was for the English book.

The department printed the book in 2001, 2005 and 2010. The fourth edition, which was multicoloured, was printed using art paper and map litho paper, and it was instantly sold out. With KPSC setting aside 20 marks only for aspects pertaining to Karnataka, the demand for the Kannada book too started picking up.

In 2011, the department released 3,000 copies of Karnataka Kaipidi’s second version, and they have all been sold out.

While the Kannada book will be released in June, the English version will be out by the end of the year. The books will be priced at around Rs 500. The books are made available at the office of the Department on KG Road, the government sales depot in MS Building, and at the government press in Mysore, Gulbarga and Dharwad.

Department losing sheen

The Department which started off with 17 editors, later downsized to 11 editors. However, for the last four years, the department is functioning with only four editors, as the seven others have either retired or have gone back to their parent department.

The government has not filled up these posts, as a result of which, the Department has resorted outsourcing most of its work to scholars from across the State.

Presently the Department has five major projects - Publication of revised editions of District Gazetteer volumes and State Gazetteer volumes; publication of revised edition of 'A Hand Book of Karnataka'; publication of Taluk Gazetteers of Karnataka State; Special publications like ‘Tourism Gazetteer’, ‘Jewels of Administration’, ‘Celebrated Diwans of Princely Mysore State’, etc; and Scanning and reprinting of rare gazetteer volumes which are in demand.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244079/handbook-state-demand.html

Byappanahalli to be third coaching terminal

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Byappanahalli Railway Station in Bangalore is set to become a major multi-modal transit hub

Even as the proposal to construct a world-class railway station at Byappanahalli is still in limbo, Bangaloreans have reasons to cheer as the Ministry of Railways has decided to make a beginning towards making Byappanahalli the third coaching terminal for the city.

With the second terminal at Yeshwantpur getting saturated, the South Western Railway had proposed to the Railway Board to make Byappanahalli the third terminal for the city and had sought approval. Bangaloreans were, however, disappointed that the Railway Budget 2012-13 did not make any specific announcement on this.

However, now it transpires that out of the allocations made for SWR for civil works, Rs. 12 crore have been earmarked for construction of two pit-lines and stabling lines each at Byappanahalli. While a pit-line is used for cleaning coaches, stabling lines are meant for maintenance and other works. With these lines, the station will be equipped to handle originating and terminating trains, thereby enhancing train connectivity to Bangalore.

Sources told The Hindu that the work has been sanctioned and the tenders will be finalised in a month. It will take about a year to complete the work, from which point of time at least four new trains could be started and terminated at Byappanahalli. The new pit-lines and stabling line will be a part of the master plan for the world class station, the sources added.

Byappanahalli is set to become a major multi-modal transit hub for Bangalore with the integration of the railway station, metro station, city bus services and inter-State bus services. Vast land once held by the NGEF is sought to be utilised for formation of the transit hub.

YESHWANTPUR TOO

Meanwhile, the board has sanctioned Rs. 10 crore for construction of four stabling lines at the Yeshwantpur Railway Station. The board permitted the construction of one pit-line at this station during the last fiscal, work of which is almost complete, the sources said.

Once the work on the stabling line is completed, Yeshwantpur too could handle three or four new trains from the next year. With this expansion, however, Yeshwantpur will have no space for further expansion and hence, the SWR is keen on developing Byappanahalli, the sources said.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3344531.ece

Doddanekkundi Lake to be revived at a cost of Rs. 10 cr.

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The lake was fenced six months ago, says MLA

When Girish K.B. started constructing a house six years ago at Abhaya Reddy Layout here, it was his dream abode. Right in front of his house was the scenic Doddanekkundi Lake, stretching across several acres. Apart from serving the water needs of the surrounding areas, the lake near Marathahalli was also a bird watcher's paradise.

Now, Mr. Girish and his family are an unhappy lot. The view before them is of a weedy patch that was once a lake, reeking of sewage that flows into the lake from apartments and houses in nearby Kaggadasapura and Vigyan Nagar, among others. “We could use the water from the lake when we first settled down here. We have been witnesses to the destruction of this lake,” lamented Mr. Girish.

The unchecked inflow of drainage water, coupled with unauthorised encroachments, has led to rapid deterioration of the lake. A long-time resident Sanjay Alex recalled how 10 years ago people could indulge in some fishing in the same lake. The sky-scraping apartment blocks that now surround the lake have robbed it of its purity and serenity, he complained.

Needless to say, the water levels have depleted, and the green floating mass is now home to less than half the variety of birds that used to frequent the lake.

RESTORATION

However, after years of slumber, the agencies concerned appear to have woken up to the risk of losing the lake forever. Resident Mahendra Babu said that about six months ago, the lake was fenced. This, according to K.R. Puram MLA Nandish Reddy (under whose constituency the lake falls), is the first step to the major restoration project being taken up by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

“In a month's time, we are starting the lake rejuvenation project. The project, which will cost Rs. 10 crore, will include removing silt and creating a park,” he said. Mr. Reddy claimed that encroachments will be removed, and sewage will be diverted from the lake. He added that other lakes, including Vibhuthipura Lake and B. Narayanapura Lake, in the constituency will also be restored.

On the problem of sewage, U.V. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests (Lake Development Authority), said that until the underground drainage system is not separated from the storm-water drain system, the problem will continue.

Environmentalist Leo Saldanha said that the State Government's allotment of Rs. 150 crore for lake rejuvenation in the city, along with the High Court judgment on restoration of all lakes in the State, should be able to protect the lakes.

“It is important to protect canals of the lakes too. It should also be ensured that fencing is to the legal limits,” he added.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3344529.ece

Capturing social change on canvas

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An exhibition of paintings depicting the life and teachings of 12th Century reformer Basaveshwara is being held here to mark Basava Jayanti.

The works by artist Shivalingappa are realistic, though they convey metaphysical concepts.

There are 12 works related to Basaveshwara and another 20 on Vachana Sahitya.

N.B. Kaverappa, an art connoisseur told The Hindu that there were many illustrations of Basaveshwara prepared at the instance of religious leaders. But, very few artists had delved deep into Vachana Sahitya for the benefit of common people. This was the first such exercise by an artist to convey the message of the reformer's philosophy through paintings, Mr. Kaverappa said.

Mr. Shivalingappa's works highlight the social circumstances that led to the rise of the Sharana movement and he is keen on completing the Sharana series of around 50 paintings by next year.

The exhibition has been organised by the Mysore Art Gallery and Ahikla Karnataka Sharana Sahitya Parishat.

It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Suchitra Art Gallery, Kalamandira, and will be on till Thursday.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3342916.ece

Mystical take on tales of life, the universe and everything

Acoustic Traditional believes oral tribal stories can tell us about conservation

"A long time ago, before there was the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the Sky, the Animals ... there existed a void.”

Thus starts the translated verse of Tiyaripchi, the first story in the publication The Lost Stories, a collection of stories passed down orally through generations, by communities living in mountain areas.

The publication has been brought out by Acoustic Traditional, a Bangalore-based organisation working to document the work of tribal oral storytellers in the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

Tiyaripchi is a Nepali tribal story that narrates the formation of the universe and life. Though it attributes the process to goddess Ninnamma, its description of a “blinding light” and “fragmentation of pieces” at the beginning of the universe is a possible reference to the Big Bang; its mention of a life-giving light that moved round and round refers to the sun.

THE CHOSEN ONES

“That is the technique used by these storytellers — take the help of the supernatural, and narrate with mystery and paraphernalia, just to awe people into listening and respecting the information passed on,” says Salil Mukhia Koi Eche Lo, founder of Acoustic Traditional. Hailing from a ‘mukhia' or a headman family in Darjeeling himself, he has known the reverence with which such oral storytellers are treated.

“The storyteller, known as the ‘shaman' or the ‘ban jhankri' in the north and the northeast is a ‘chosen one', supposedly bestowed with the knowledge of the supernatural to educate his tribe about the environment that they live in,” he explains. “They undergo rigorous training on the science of nature and how to protect it, before they are awarded the privilege of practising their profession.”

FOCUS OF STORIES

Mr. Salil documented such stories as an academic in 1999. After a chance meeting with Barkha Henry, who shared his curiosity in tribal storytelling traditions, Acoustic Traditional was founded in 2001, with a core group of five members.

In 2005, the group expanded their reach to the Nilgiris to listen to stories from the south. “It is fascinating how the stories from the Himalayas are all mystic and mythological whereas those from the Nilgiris deal with animals, particularly the fox,” says Ms. Henry.

Abhishek, another member adds, “The creature most mentioned in the Himalayas is the Yeti.”

Last September, the organisation held a three-day confluence of storytellers from the north and the south in Bangalore.

There, Piribai, a storyteller from the Lambani community in Doddaballapur said, “These are more than stories, these are our community's experiences passed down.”

Acoustic Traditional sees much relevance for such stories today, when the idea of a forest and its conservation has been hijacked by modernity and traditional wisdom goes unheeded.

“Forest dwellers are fast losing the rights they held over their homes, and these stories help us understand their deep connection to their environment and their sound knowledge on how to preserve their valuable resources,” Mr. Salil says.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3342915.ece

Trove of kritis, courtesy the Saralaya Sisters

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Fourteen kritis in three hours — that was the Saralaya Sisters' (Kavitha and Triveni) generous Ramanavami concert at Chamarajpet Ramaseva Mandali, apart from the time allotted for their creative fragments of alapane, swara-prasthara and neraval.

Trained under senior vocalist Seethalakshmi Venkatesan, the Saralaya Sisters are known for their treasure of kritis. “We have learnt more than 1,000 kritis from our guru over 23 years,” says Triveni.

Accompanied by Nalina Mohan (violin), M. Balaji (mridanga) and Narayana Murthy (ghata), the sisters' cutcheri course was interesting with alternating slow, medium and fast-paced kritis.

Sample this: an unhurried Ramachandrena sam rakshito in a leisurely flow of raga Maanji had the sisters take up Dikshitar's lyrics, followed by the fast train of swara and sahitya for Tyagaraja's Vararagalaya in Chenchukambhoji. The intonation in the next Veera Hanumathe namo namo was formal bhakthi weaved in an emotive Kanada raga, even as they switched to a fast run for Tyagaraja's Sobillu saptaswara in Jaganmohini with all the chittaswaras in precision, even at this rapidity. And that was necessary to step into the serene and composed Poorvikalyani for their focal piece Parama pavana Rama.

The choice of several composers too engaged their audiences in a guessing game.

“We were brought up breathing music and my mother Sulochana Saralaya's constant initiation into fine arts appreciation gradually led us into developing a musicality for appreciating assorted styles from our childhood,” says Kavitha. This characteristic made them approach the maestro M. Balamuralikrishna for learning his rich varnas, ashtapadis and tillanas, which add to their presentation styles. Their tail-end Brindavani tillana of Balamuralikrishna said it all.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3342913.ece

K Seshadri Rao’s memory shines bright

The National Institute of Technology - Karnataka (NITK) was grief-struck following the brutal murder of one of its alumnus, K Seshadri Rao, an MBA student of Boston University. Students gathered at the sprawling campus and lit candles in memory of young Rao.

"He was an active engineering student. He had formed his own gaming group. He spearheaded the formation of a group that created special software for gamers when he was in third year,” said Uday Kumar Yaragatti, head of the department of Electronics and Electrical at NITK.

“Rao was a hardworking student and was very enterprising. After he passed out of NITK, he left for Orissa and joined a private engineering college affiliated to Cuttack University. There, he created an infrastructure for computer and IT department in two years before he left for Boston to do his in postgraduation in business management at Boston University,” he said.

“He was an activist of computer society of India (CSI) and used to hold many CSI programmes in the campus. I was amazed at the organising capacity and enterprising talents of this boy right from the first year. He scored a distinction. His energies were channelised to different activities that made him a multi-faceted personality,” said Prof Lakshman Nandagudi, Dean, NITK.


source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_k-seshadri-raos-memory-shines-bright_1679511

The Great Maratha Warrior Shivaji’s Karwar link

Even as the state was getting ready to hold Shivaji Jayanti on Monday, there was a buzz in the coastal town of Karwar, which was under Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha king’s direct rule and provides glimpses of his time and glory. Though he had visited Karwar and Sadashivgad only twice, in 1665 and 1673, his regents had ruled Karwar for more than 16 years. Shivaji had also raided Karwar and looted it to ruffle the feathers of its bad rulers. He strengthened the Sadashivgad fort and renovated the Durga temple there, say historians Suryanath Kamath and James Campbell in articles that appeared in Uttara Karnataka Gazetteer. Karwar is the only place on the Karnataka coast that gives glimpses of his time. Some of the relics from his time have passed on to the modern collectors. One of them is a 300-year-old sports shield carved in hard wood and embedded with silver carvings—having Shivaji’s image in the centre and medallions all around. “The shield might have been from Shivaji’s time and is now in the custody of the grama chavadi (village council) of Sadashivgad,” Manjunath Sullolli, a local knowledge bank, told DNA. The shield has the name of a British citizen, N D’Souza, on it. There are no other details on the shield. “The shield might have been instituted by a regent of Shivaji for sports events and since the culture of awarding shields was distinctly European, the name of N D’Souza fits the explanation,” Shashikanth Rane, a senior citizen in Karwar who researched about the shield, told DNA. Rane, who has been researching about Shivaji’s influence, has found Maratha structures in Chittakula, Mudageri, Angadi, Mazali and Kaduwad around the modern Karwar town. He says the basement of Sadashivgad fort had the armoury of Shivaji, but a flood in 1961 swept it away.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_the-great-maratha-warrior-shivajis-karwar-link_1679491

[B][U]Doddanekkundi Lake to be revived at a cost of Rs. 10 cr.

Jhon please post this in Lakes and recreation. We have a separate thread for that.

awesome lyrics check it out.....

thank you AR Rehmanhttp://www.australialuxe.info/013-2.jpg

Vision 2030: Superpower India

April 23, 2012 DC

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/115814

Jai Super Movie

This video is disgusting. It is nothing but a retaliation and a failed attempt at even thinking that people are going to serve us like that. This film drips sadism all over it. Shame on those who think this way. BTW, whoever wrote that article is a dipshit because the person that walked off the BA flight was American, not a Briton. Also, that airport looked shit.

Personally, I didn't find that video all that cool. An outsider seeing the video would find it juvenile and childish, which it is.

Making such videos and such propaganda so many decades before we can ever think of anything of the sort, makes one look rather silly, IMHO. Reality is that as of today, the lines outside foreign consulates in India are long, and not vice versa. Indians still have a bad case of phoren obsession, and I don't see it going away. We can start talking when that reverses, till then, such videos are just puerile and childish.

Bangalore sizzles at 37.1 degrees Celsius: 2012's hottest day yet

BANGALORE: Clear blue skies and a hot, hot sun. Sweaty days are here again, as summer bears down on a Bangalore wilting under a dry spell of weather.

On Monday, the mercury touched 37.1 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of 2012, and the weatherman predicts that worse is to come. The temperature is set to rise by a couple of degrees in the next two days, and the city can expect showers only after 2-3 days. "Monday was hottest, but it is a normal summer. The temperature had touched 37.6 degrees Celsius in April 2010," said sources in the Bangalore Meteorological Department

"The heat is forcing us to stay indoors till late evening. My son suffered dehydration recently. Children cannot go out and play. I hope there's rain in the next few days, and the temperature comes down," said Namita Chikkodi, a resident of Koramangala. Met director B Puttanna told TOI: "All of Karnataka, except Bangalore and Kolar, has received rain in the past few days. We were expecting a low pressure area created in the Bay of Bengal to bring showers to Bangalore, but the pressure weakened. Apart from that, wind conditions are affecting cloud building, which is the main factor in bringing rain."

Puttanna said that due to clear skies, solar radiation has gone up, pushing up the temperature. "But a rise in temperature helps in cloud building and we can expect some showers. The minimum rainfall required for April is 4cm. If it rains in the next few days, we can achieve the target in just one day," he said. Agro-meteorologist MB Rajegowda said: "There is a lack of moisture in the air, and humidity is also very low, which is affecting cloud formation."

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-sizzles-at-37-1-degrees-Celsius-2012s-hottest-day-yet/articleshow/12844729.cms

Bangalore temperature records a new high at 37.5 degrees

BANGALORE: The searing Sun is making Bangalore feel the heat for sure . The mercury level soared to 37 .5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, making it the hottest day of 2012 so far . The weatherman has predicted the maximum temperature to rise further, at least by a couple of degrees in the next few days .

Met department officials said, "Maximum temperature was 37 .5 degrees Celsius and minimum 24. In April 2010, maximum temperature hadtouched 37 .6degreesCelsius .Temperatureis likely to go up in the next two days . Bangalore's average maximum temperaturein Mayis around 38 .9 degrees Celsius, so respite from the continuing heat wave is unlikely in the next few days . "We are expecting rain in 2 to 3 days, but it'll not bring much relief from the heat," said B Puttanna, director, Met department, Bangalore .

RAIN ELSEWHERE

It continued to rain in coastal Karnataka, northinterior and some parts of south-interior Karnataka on Tuesday . Areas in and around Mysore, Kodagu,Hassan andM angalore received 2to6cm rainfall . Gadag and Bellary recorded the highest maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-temperature-records-a-new-high-at-37-5-degrees/articleshow/12863321.cms

123

Rajkumar's sons can save us, says Jaggesh

BANGALORE: Echoing Kannada actor Shivrajkumar's sentiments on Tuesday morning about the change in the Kannada film industry, actor Jaggesh said: "If anybody should save the Kannada film industry from taking the wrong turn, it has to be the three Rajkumar gems."

Jaggesh was referring to Rajkumar's three sons at the 84th birth anniversary celebrations of the legend, organized by the state government on Tuesday. Chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda was also present.

Jaggesh said: "Rajkumar had a dream - that the Kannada film industry should continue the golden turn it had acquired during his time, but I'm sorry to say it is taking a wrong turn. It is going out of hand. Things are happening that shouldn't. The three gems here are the only ones who can save the industry. I hope fervently that they act before things slip out of our hands."

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Rajkumars-sons-can-save-us-says-Jaggesh/articleshow/12859582.cms

Fiery Shivrajkumar bares some home truths

BANGALORE: In a sharp outburst on his father's 84th birth anniversary at Kanteerava Studio on Tuesday noon, actor and Rajkumar's son Shivrajkumar minced no words in slamming sections within the Kannada film industry, who he said were subverting Dr Rajkumar's pluralistic outlook to life. He declared that he, like his father, loved all languages and cultures.

Speaking just after laying the wreath at his father's portrait and performing puja along with chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday afternoon, Shivrajkumar shocked everyone with his rather candid remarks on developments within the Kannada film industry.

Visibly angry, he articulated his family's and Rajkumar's vision of life. "We should observe all our social events - like festivals, jaathres or processions - peacefully and with a spirit of togetherness. We should not create any disturbance or trouble, but maintain calm and a balanced outlook to life. We should be good to people and do things for the welfare of all."

"Of late, I have been noticing that the atmosphere in the film industry is changing for the worse, I don't know why. It's not right and we should not let it happen. We are not against any language. We love all languages, their films and actors. In fact, Dhanush of the film 'Three ' called me and I wished him the best. We should have love and respect for other languages and actors, though we need not overdo it. I swear by my father that I will live by his vision of harmonious outlook to life."

Shivrajkumar was speaking in the background of recent infighting within the Kannada film industry and how certain people did not heed senior actor Ambareesh's advice on peace.

Flowers were placed at the portrait of the late matinee idol. Scores of fans had come to Kanteerava Studio and there was much whistling and shouting when the Rajkumar brothers trooped in together. The brothers also donated blood on the occasion. The memorial was bedecked with flowers.

He gave us Kannada all can speak

Jnanpith award winner UR Ananthamurthy on Tuesday said Kannada thespian Rajkumar was the only actor in India who exhibited puranic values in social movies and social values in puranic movies. He was speaking at the 84th birth anniversary of the matinee idol.

Sharing a few dramatic notes on the great actor, Ananthamurthy said : "Rajkumar was the only actor in the country who gave the most lucid and accessible expression to literary greatness through his acting. If there was one man who gave us one Kannada that everyone could speak while having their Kannadas, it was Rajkumar."

Rajkumar's actor-sons Shivrajkumar, Raghavendra and Puneet also spoke on the occasion. "We used to spend hours asking him how he lived 108 days in the forest when he had been abducted. We were trying to understand his pain. He would tell us how he used to eat, sleep, exercise but would always add that there was lot of pain that was of a different order. He would say, 'You don't share pain with people, you should only share happiness. I want to leave you with good memories. So don't ask me about the pain. It's only for me to experience it. You should not go through what I did'," Raghavendra said.

TEXTBOOK DEMAND

UR Ananthamurthy requested chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda to institute a textbook on Rajkumar. "There are so many people who can recite Rajkumar's dialogues and songs on the spur. They are the true keepers of the great man's values and traditions. I hope we can have a text-book that reflect the great man and the people who keep his traditions going."

MEMORIAL BY NOVEMBER

Work on the memorial to late actor Rajkumar, at the Kanteerava Studio near Nandini Layout, is due to be completed by November, and will be dedicated to the state. SR Govindu of the Kannada film industry told TOI the government had released Rs 10 crore for the memorial. "Work is going on well. Nearly 70% is complete. The chief minister has promised to unveil it by November this year." The memorial, coming up on 2.5 acres, will have a drama auditorium, museum, big park, an exhibition area and the samadhi itself. "It's looking good and will be a wonderful addition to the state. The park also makes it attractive," Govindu said. Once ready, the studio will turn into a prime tourist centre, and Rajkumar's ideals will gain popularity as people will come to see the memorial and studio, officials said. People can also relax in the park, they added.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Fiery-Shivrajkumar-bares-some-home-truths/articleshow/12863595.cms

Rs 76-cr mall to come up in Malleswaram

BANGALORE: Traditional markets may disappear if BDA sticks to its decision . Malleswaram market , where BBMP cleared encroachments three days ago , is set to become a multipurpose commercial complex , to be constructed for Rs 76 .3 crore.

"This is one of the markets to be re-built by BDA, as per minutes of the board meeting on July 24, 2010. BDA sent its proposal to the government for constructing multipurpose commercial complexes at Malleswaram market , Jayanagar 4th Block complex (Rs 99.07 crore ), KR Puram market (Rs 21.519cr ). There are more than 60 malls in the city , why should BDA construct more malls ,'' asked RTI activist B M Shivakumar.

He obtained the details of construction of malls in place of markets through Right to Information Act and released it to the media on Monday . BDA also has plans to reconstruct Seshadripuram market at a cost of Rs 17.85 crore.


source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Rs-76-cr-mall-to-come-up-in-Malleswaram/articleshow/12845428.cms

Shivarajkumar set for new role in sandalwood

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/24RAJ2.jpg.crop_display.jpg
Actors Puneeth Rajkumar, Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar pay tribute to their father and late actor Dr Rajkumar on his birth anniversary in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Hinting at a probable real life role as a leader of the troubled Karnataka film industry, actor Shivarajkumar on Tuesday took centre-stage at a programme to honour his father the legendary thespian Rajkumar on his 84th birthday, where he vowed to fight till death to save the Sandalwood industry saying he would never allow outside forces to take it over. Bringing the not inconsiderable weight of his family name to bear on the issue, he said: “Do not misconstrue our family’s silence for weakness.”

Shall fight till death to save Sandalwood: Shivarajkumar
Expressing dissatisfaction over the recent developments in the Kannada film industry and its internal politics, hat-trick hero Shivarajkumar on Tuesday said that he will fight to the death to save the sandalwood industry and will never allow outside forces to take it over. “My my family members have been observing the recent developments of the industry. Our silence should not be read otherwise. I can go to any extent to save the industry. We respect and admire other film industry but they should be kept at a distance when it comes to saving our industry,” he said.

Announcing his arrival and hinting at taking the lead in the politics of the industry, Mr Shivarajkumar had reportedly criticised the statements made by a producer that heroes are given everything except 'condoms.' He had also criticised the action of two producers fighting over the release of their films in front of the electronic media. In respect of dubbing issue, Mr Shivarajkumar had reportedly reacted against it while referring to Aamir Khan's TV show Sathyamev Jayate and had suggested remaking the reality show by making use of local talent. It was Dr Rajkumar’s family that first raised voice against the dubbing and ever since the demise of the idol, some forces are trying hard to bring back the dubbing culture.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/shivarajkumar-set-new-role-sandalwood-555

‘BSR in Karnataka, YSR in AP’

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Independent MLA B. Sreeramulu starts his padayatra from Basavakalyan in Bidar district on Tuesday.

Basava Jayanti saw the sleepy town of Basavakalyan bordering Maharashtra, decked with red, green and white flags, banners and buntings, wake up to the arrival of hundreds of vehicles carrying supporters of former minister B. Sreeramulu, who began his 921 km padayatra from here on Tuesday to drum up support for the political party he plans to launch in June.

While appealing to the Lingayat community by opting to begin his padyatra from this karma bhoomi of the 12th century social reformer, Basavanna, Mr Sreeramulu took care to establish his secular credentials by doing a pooja at the Sri Basaveshwara temple and following it up with visits to a dargah and church, before blowing a conch to set off on his 54 day padayatra from the Theru Maidan in this town of Bidar district. He intends to cover nine districts before reaching Bengaluru on June 27 in the company of thousands of fans who will be provided food and water as they cover 20 km with him every day.

Clearly out to fashion himself as a leader of the backward classes and the downtrodden of north Karnataka and recall Basavanna, who strove to establish an egalitarian society, Mr Sreeramulu, a close associate of mining barons turned politicians, the Reddy brothers, called on the badavaru (poor), shramikaru (working class) and raitharu( farmers) to join hands with him in building a “nava Karnataka” where all sections of people can prosper.

While he had once played a role in bringing the BJP government to power in the state, he now devoted considerable time to attacking it. “At a time when 121 taluks are reeling under drought, the CM and others are busy fighting for position and ministers are playing resort politics forgetting their duties to the people," he charged.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/%E2%80%98bsr-karnataka-ysr-ap%E2%80%99-553

No more freebies at petrol bunks, pay for air, water, toilets

Soon there will be no free air filling facilities, drinking water or toilet facilities at petrol bunks. The escalating labour cost and expenditure that has to be borne by the petrol dealer will soon be forwarded to the consumers which means next time you get your fuel tank filled, you will have to pay for getting air filled in the tyres.

There are about 875 public sector petrol bunks in and around the city that will enforce the rule after a written approval from the oil ministry. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, president of Karnataka Federation of Petrol Dealers’ Association, Bhushan Narang said: “We have no choice but to charge consumers for the facilities we were providing free all this while. The oil ministry has to decide on the rates to be imposed on various facilities at the petrol bunks that will be recovered from the customers. The ministry has formed a committee that will fix the rates. Meanwhile we will have to wait and watch. The new rule will be implemented once we get a written approval from the ministry.”

Petrol dealers had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from April 23. But the strike was called off after a written assurance from the Union government about acceptance of their demands. The foremost demand of the petrol dealers was to charge for free facilities that have been provided at the petrol bunks. The demand was put forth to the ministry because of an escalation in the labour cost.

Sources have stated that charges may be fixed for the facilities. The charges would depend on quality of facilities to be offered by dealers. However, the private sector petrol dealers may not charge their customers for facilities. “The committee recommendations are applicable only to public sector petrol dealers, the private dealers have nothing to do with it,” said Jai Kumar, director at Dolphin Motors Pvt. Limited, a private sector oil dealer.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/no-more-freebies-petrol-bunks-pay-air-water-toilets-198

‘Raj’s dialogues kindles love for language’

The State government should introduce literature comprising dialogues and works of cinema and cultural icon Rajkumar, thereby motivating citizens to read and write in Kannada, said Kannada writer U R Ananthmurthy.

Speaking at a programme to mark the 84th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Rajkumar organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture, in association with the Information Department, here on Tuesday, he said Rajkumar’s Kannada was simple and understood by Kannada and non-Kannada speaking people across the State.

The actor’s popularity was so massive that his dialogues were reproduced verbatim even by illiterate people. If the government brought out such literature, it would motivate people to read and write in Kannada, he said.

“Rajkumar was able to achieve what no chief minister could. He realised the dreams of Kannada litterateurs like Kuvempu, Bendre and Masti. He gave a language to the State which has different dialects,” Ananthmurthy said.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said he had watched several Rajkumar films and had not come across an actor like him.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244653/rajs-dialogues-kindles-love-language.html

Metropolitan plan panel for City taking shape

Thanks to rider that flow of JnNURM funds would stop, if it is not formed

The State government has begun the process of constituting the much-delayed Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) for Bangalore.

Under the 74th amendment of the Constitution, MPC is mandatory for a city with a population of more than 10 lakh. Bangalore is home to over 85 lakh (as per census 2011).

Though an enabling law was passed by the Government in 1994, the committee did not come into existence.

The Government seems to have finally woken up, thanks to a rider that the flow of funds for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) would stop if the MPC was not constituted.

As a first step, the government has taken the initiative of amending the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Act, 1994, to repeal Section 45 of the Act which specified that the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) would have to be dissolved once the MPC is constituted.

The then government had felt the BMRDA could be scrapped once the MPC was formed. However, an expert committee headed by K Kasturirangan, constituted to review the institutional situation in the metropolitan region, thought otherwise. The committee in its recommendation submitted in 2008 proposed extensive responsibilities in the expanded BBMP as well as retaining BMRDA.

The amendment bill to retain BMRDA even after the constitution of the MPC will be taken up for consideration in the next legislature session. However, the government is likely to notify only Bangalore Urban revenue district as the metropolitan area deviating from recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee, which specified that besides Bangalore Urban, the districts of Bangalore Rural and Ramanagaram be brought under MPC. This means the MPC will have BBMP, Anekal Town Municipal Council and 110 gram panchayats in the four taluks of Bangalore Urban in its jurisdiction.

The government, at the same time, has decided to put its ambitious proposal of having a Bangalore Metropolitan Region governance legislation on the back burner at least for the time being.

Overarching council

The proposed legislation is to create an overarching council which would plan and supervise the development of the Bangalore Metropolitan Region.

Urban Development Department secretary Aravind Shrivastava said once the amendment bill to retain BMRDA was passed by the legislature, the process of constituting the MPC could be simultaneously taken up.

Two-third of the members of the MPC shall be elected from among members of the corporation, municipalities and president and vice-presidents of zilla, taluk and gram panchayats in the metropolitan area. Besides, the State government can nominate experts to the committee.

The main aim of constituting the MPC is to bring all stakeholders involved in urban development on a single platform. The MPC will also have to prepare a development plan, for instance the Master Plan for Bangalore, indicating vision and strategy for integrated and co-ordinated development of metropolitan area. These tasks, at present, are usually outsourced to the third parties and except for calling for objections from the public, there is not much transparency while finalising zoning in the master plan.

Functions

* Preparation of draft development plan for metropolitan area
* Co-ordination and sorting out common issues involving local bodies in metro area, including sharing of water, etc
* Deciding on allocation of resources to local bodies
* Avoiding overlapping of areas of different agencies

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244659/metropolitan-plan-panel-city-taking.html

Police crack down on erring autorickshaw drivers

For all those who have been relentlessly campaigning against the lawlessness of auto drivers in the City, this might come as a cheer.

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The Bangalore City Police have enhanced the punishment for auto drivers violating rules – especially the ones who refuse to go on trips.

The Department launched its latest drive last week. It seized autos from violators, chargesheeted them, and subsequently sent them to traffic courts to pay a fine not less than Rs 2,000, for release of their vehicles.

Additional Commissioner of Police for Traffic, M A Saleem, when contacted by Deccan Herald, said that between April 15 and 21, 141 auto drivers were sent to court for refusing to take passengers to their destinations.

He said that between January and March alone, around 10,500 cases had been booked against auto drivers for refusing to go on trips.

Callous attitude

The stringent measures were initiated following repeated complaints from passengers. Saleem said auto drivers were callous, and did not take the department and its rules seriously.

“Earlier, we were only levying a fine of Rs 100, which seemed to have no effect on the drivers. Refusal to go on trips is a violation of permit condition. It is imperative to send them to court, else there is no way of disciplining them,” he said.

Saleem said the department was simultaneously working towards improving the conduct and behaviour of auto drivers, through its one-day training programme at its Traffic Training Institute.

The exercise, which has been re-initiated, saw 88 auto drivers being trained a few days ago. They were told about rules, apart from being trained in soft skills and inculcating attitudinal changes in them. The training programme is conducted once in 15 days.

Traffic marshals

After successfully implementing the traffic wardens concept, the department will now implement the ‘traffic marshals’ concept with the help of citizens.

There are 44,000 intersections and 11,000 km of roads in the City, which are being manned by 2,900 traffic personnel.

The department requires at least 4,500 personnel. To make up for the shortage, the department has been encouraging volunteers to enrol for the warden programme, apart from taking the assistance of 500 home guards.

The IT professionals who are part of a forum of volunteers called Praja will be given badges instead of uniforms.

Violation cases against auto drivers

Total cases up to March 31, 2012 1,04,753

* Refusal to go on hire 10,490
* Reckless driving 1,340
* Drunken driving 963
* Demanding excess fare 5,401
* Non-display of display card 1,463
* Defective fare meter 8
* Without DL 2,504
* Jumping traffic signal 11,923
* Wrong parking 24,780
* Without uniform 4,610
* Usage of mobile phone 3,205
* Others 18,220

Painting competition

The King’s Lane in Cubbon Park will be closed for public and vehicular movement on April 29, as police department will organise a painting competition for citizens on road safety. Participation is open to all. The Department will provide sheets for the paintings, and it has kept aside 10 prizes. The competition will be held from 10 am to 12 noon.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244647/police-crack-down-erring-autorickshaw.htm

Stark reality awaits Sonia in Molakalmur

A tank at Nagasamudra village of Molakalmur taluk, Chitradurga, will stand testimony to the prevailing drought situation in the State, when UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi visits the village on April 28.

With the 108-year-old Nagasamudra tank drying up, the hopes of farmers to cultivate their land during the pre-monsoon period have also vanished. The situation during last summer was no better, as the whole of Chitradurga comes under the rain shadow area.

Nagasamudra village lies on the border with Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. Farmers in the village mainly grow groundnut, paddy, jowar and ragi. They are entirely dependent on rains for farming, while borewells are the source for drinking water.

Two consecutive years of severe drought have put the farmers in deep trouble, says Lakshman B, the village accountant. “I have been here for the last 10 years and I saw the tank go dry for the first time last year. The same situation has prevailed this year, too,” he says. There are no goshalas in the village. There are only three goshalas in Molakalmur taluk.

As many as 4,255 acres are under irrigation here, and when there is enough rainfall there is an average yield of 40 gunny bags per acre. But now, this has reduced to one or two bags per acre.

Srikanth R D, Assistant Engineer of the Jalasamvardhane programme of the Department of Minor
Irrigation, says the water spread area of the tank is 132 ha, while the area including the tank bund is about 172 ha. About a year ago, the tank bund was strengthened at a cost of Rs 47 lakh through a World Bank loan. He adds that agricultural activities have come to a standstill and rearing of cattle has become tough without tank water.

Earlier, agricultural labourers migrated to Bellary during summer to work in mining or quarrying pits. “But with a ban on mining activities, people are helpless. The only ray of hope is getting water to Nagasamudra tank from Rangenadurga dam, which is six km from the village,” he says.

Security for visit

Molakalmur Congress MLA N Y Gopalakrishna, Congress MLC K C Kondaiah and others visited the village to make arrangements for a helipad. Sonia Gandhi will be flying to the village from Bangalore on the morning of April 28.

Gopalakrishna said that Sonia is also scheduled to interact with a section of the villagers to understand their plight. A Special Protection Group squad will be in the village to supervise the security arrangements to be made for Sonia, he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244607/stark-reality-awaits-sonia-molakalmur.html

Sharavathi can sustain power generation for only 50 days

No history of halting production in the past 47 years


The water level in the Linganamakki dam of the Sharavathi Hydroelectric Power Project is sufficient to generate power only for the next 50 days.


The water level at Linganamakki dam stands at 1,772.40 ft, against the maximum of 1,819 ft. At the present level, power can be generated unhindered till May, at the rate of 21 million units a day.

The power generation will be affected if it does not rain in June, said sources in Karnataka Power Corporation Limited.

According to sources, the district has received only 10 mm of pre-monsoon showers as against the expected 31 mm, resulting in poor inflow into the dam.

Rajamudi, Chief Engineer (Civil), Sharavathi Project, said the water level in the dam had six feet less water compared to the corresponding period last year.

“At present, 20 million to 22 million units of power is being generated with 7,000 cusecs of water. The generation is likely to continue for the next 50 days,” he said.

Although the State requires 155 million units of power a day, only 78 million units of power is being generated now. The rest is being sourced from other sources. Of the 78 million units, the Sharavathi project alone generates 21 million units, said Rajamudi.

He clarified that there was no demand from the State government for additional power generation in Sharavathi, in the wake of four units of Raichur Thermal Power Station being shut due to water scarcity.

“In the last 47 years, power generation at Sharavathi has not been hit. We are hoping that the region receives rain by May end,” said Rajamudi.

Water released into Krishna

Meanwhile, sources in the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam said 2,000 cusec of water had been released into the River Krishna on Monday late night and another 500 cusec on Tuesday from Narayanapura reservoir. Another half tmc ft of water is expected from Almatti reservoir.

Narayanapura and Almatti reservoirs together have seven tmc ft of water. Depleting water levels could lead to drinking water scarcity in about 30 towns, sources said.
The water level in Almatti reservoir stood at 507.43 meters as on Tuesday.

RTPS generates 700 MW

Although Units 3,6,7 and 8 of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) remained shut owing to water scarcity, the thermal plant generated 700 MW on Tuesday.
Power generation at four units of RTPS will begin only after water from Almatti reservoir reaches River Krishna, said Bhaskar, Executive Director of RTPS.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244600/sharavathi-can-sustain-power-generation.html

Power crisis set to worsen across State

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Faced with a power shortage of 840 megawatts (MW), the energy crisis in the State is likely to worsen in the coming summer days if the dependency on hydel power stations continues for long.

The current demand of 160 million units (mu) has left a peak load gap of about 15 mu, thanks to the water supply crisis at the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS).
The State’s hydel power plants are in full swing to meet the shortage, contributing 52.44 mu, which is nearly 45 per cent of the current total power demand.

Experts feel that this scenario might prove detrimental to the State in the long run.
“We have been receiving weather reports of poor rainfall during this year. If the power situation continues in the similar manner, there might be a severe crisis,” said an official. Officials at RTPS, whose four units each with a capacity of 210 mw have shut down, claimed it would resu*me functioning by We*dnesday evening with water released from the Narayanapura dam.

But department so*urces feel the water mi*ght not reach the well of RTPS as farmers might divert it to their farms adjoining the river.

“There is very little water in the dam. The problem may persist until the arrival of monsoon,” said an official.

Official optimism

KPCL officials, however, maintained that the hydel reservoirs are filled to the brim and can meet the requirement until monsoon arrives.

“The pressure on the hydel reserves is so much that on March 6, the Sharavathi hydel power station produced 23 mu, a record in 48 years since being commissioned in 1964,” said an official.

“The hydel reserves have sufficient water and can meet the requirement for next 65 days. We are confident that we will receive monsoon by June 10,” he said. Ravi Kumar, Managing Director, Karnataka Power Tr*an*smission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), however, ma*in*ta*ined that the crisis has eased.
The official said the two units of the Udupi thermal generation station that had been closed for maintenance, resumed generation on Tuesday. “We will be getting 600 MW of power (13 mu). We are getting 1,500 MW of power from the Central grid and about 250 MW of power from Chhattisgarh,” he added.

Besides, he said, the State also gets 400 MW from the co-generation units in the State, and has a long-term power purchase agreement with Jindal.
“This crisis is temporary. By Wednesday morning, it will be normal,” he added.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244648/power-crisis-set-worsen-across.html

Water from Narayanpur Dam allotted for RTPS

BANGALORE: In what might be a breather for the state and for officials at the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), preliminary reports on Tuesday indicated that a supply of 1,000 cusecs of water have been allotted for the parched power station from the Narayanpur Reservoir.
The RTPS was forced to shut down four of its 210 MW units on Sunday as there was inadequate water supply.
The station has a total of eight units and the remaining four were staring at a shutdown, if there was no improvement in the water situation.
The state faced a shortage of close to 900 MW on Tuesday as a result of the four units going offline.
However, the water will take close to 48 hours to reach RTPS, according to officials, and will have to pass several villages on the way.
To ensure that the water remains available to the power station, prohibitory orders have been clamped on residents of the nine villages, which fall on the path of the Krishna river from Narayanpur Reservoir to RTPS.
Section 144 has been imposed in order to ensure that the water is not taken by the villagers through pump s

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/water-from-narayanpur-dam-allotted-for-rtps/385600.html

BangaloreOne on its toes

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BANGALORE: If you have been in the city for a while, there is no way, you would have missed a BangaloreOne (B1) centre, since it has become a household name. Started with lot of fanfare seven years back, the concept of B1 has spread not only in the city but other parts of the state too. The prompt services and pleasant setup at B1 centres has really attracted the citizens and one can see long queues at various centres, once it begins its operations early morning, unlike the government offices.
An E-governance initiative, it started in 2005 owing to the need for a one-stop shop where all services can be provided under a single umbrella. Of the existing 76 BangaloreOne centres in the city, 38 centres function 24X7, and the rest work from 8 am to 8 pm.
Right from paying your electricity bill, water bill, telephone/mobile bill and property tax, you can also buy a bus pass, book your movie tickets and pay your life insurance premium (ING Life Insurance service only). Not only that, if you have been fined for violating parking norms, you can even pay the fine amount at any B1 centre. Traffic Violation Payment service allows you to pay traffic violations fines such as riding without a helmet. Domestic flight ticket booking is also available at BangaloreOne centres. You can avail all these services without paying anything extra.
However, some services have been discontinued for many an unknown reason. Once Regional Passport Office services could be availed where one could buy a passport application form and apply for both new passport and renewal. But, later this services had to be terminated.
When we asked Sabeha, manager at the Vijayanagar B1 centre, also one of the biggest centres in Bangalore, she said, “The RPO (Regional Passport Office) has withdrawn the services. We do not know the reason for the same. Hence, our transactions have also gone down. Now, the RPO has its own Passport Seva Kendras to cater to the needs of the customers. The rate at which our applications for passport got rejected was also high.”
But, still the number of customers availing other services hasn’t really dipped as most of the customers come here to pay their electricity, water, telephone bills as well as property tax.
Another problem faced by the customers is that you can’t apply for a Death or Birth certificate in a B1 centre anymore. You will have to go to your respective BBMP division offices or one of the citizen service centres. BangaloreOne Coordinator for North Zone, Shiv Chander said, “ We don’t know why the services were withdrawn by the BBMP. They never updated us or provided us any information.”
Regarding booking movie tickets, Manager at the Basaveshwarnagar centre, said, “Usually, the theatres don’t give us any confirmation which is a problem while customers book movie tickets here.”
He added, “Transactions are going on as usual and termination of passport services hasn’t affected us much. Last month, my centre made transactions worth Rs 27,000 whereas a big centre like Vijaynagar easily makes upto Rs 50-60,000.”
With the expansion of B1 centres in the city, the authorities needs to do more in terms of its functioning, even on holidays with full staff, and also making it more user friendly especially for people who are not familiar or understand the quickness of the offered services.
Although, the Bangalore One initiative has a Help Desk with number 080-22955400/401, there is hardly any response to the queries put by the citizens.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore

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Son vows to fulfil Raj’s dreams

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BANGALORE: Speaking at the 84th birth anniversary of Kannada actor Rajkumar, his son, cine actor Shivaraj Kumar, said “After Appaji’s demise, the atmosphere here has changed.
I will not remain silent if anybody tries to go against my father’s wishes. I am ready for any sacrifice for the fulfilment of Appaji’s dreams. My brothers, Raghavendra and Puneeth and his children will continue the battle, if I die.” The event was organised by Akhila Karnataka Dr Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha on Tuesday.
Sources close to the actor stated that Kumar had made this statement against the backdrop of the recent developments in Kannada film industry.
“We are not against any language. Nobody should mistake our silence as weakness. If we raise our voices, we are capable of doing anything,” Kumar said. Kannada litterateur Bargur Ramachandrappa flayed Housing Minister V Somanna and Home and Transport Minister R Ashok for allegedly stepping on the memorial of Rajakumar while offering floral tributes to the thespian.
However, Somanna apologised for showing disrespect to the actor.
Ramachandrappa also requested Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to allot land for the construction of museum, library and an auditorium near Rajkumar’s memorial.
“This place should be made into a national memorial. An auditorium should be constructed to play documentaries on Rajkumar and there should be focus on development of Kannada language,” he noted.
Seven personalities- Suma, Shani Mahadevappa, M N Lakshmi Devi, sporstman A T Raghu, Sadashiva Brahmavar, senior journalist S Ramachandra and swimmer Gopalakrishna were felicitated on the occasion with Rs 25,000 cash.
Rajkumar was dedicated towards his work: CM
Jnanpith Award Winning writer Prof U R Ananthmurthy on Tuesday said thespian Rajkumar’s language was never limited to one part of the state.
Speaking at a programme organised to celebrate the late actor’s 84th birth anniversary by the Department of Kannada and Culture, in association with the Information Department, he said, “Kannada is spoken differently in different parts of Karnataka.
Many great poets dreamt of seeing different dialects of Kannada becoming one and Rajkumar made it a reality. His Kannada never sounded artificial,” he observed. “Rajkumar’s Kannada was simple and it was understood by one and all,” he felt.
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda was all praise for Rajkumar. “Rajkumar’s values need to be followed by all. I have seen many of his movies.
His acting was never stereotypical. He was dedicated towards his work,” he said. He also assured that the government was keen on supporting cinema as well as theatre.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/son-vows-to-fulfil-raj%E2%80%99s-dreams/385605.html

Elephant park at BBP soon

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BANGALORE: The 14 elephants at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) will no longer be shackled or put as display items in their enclosures.
They will be left free inside the safari with no interference from human beings.
In accordance with guidelines laid down by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the new concept called ‘Elephant Park’ is being implemented at the BBP.
The CZA sent a circular to all the state governments, banning chaining and displaying of elephants in public.
While all the other zoos and parks are yet to implement this order, the BBP has already taken measures in this regard.
The authorities have identified 100 acres inside the BBP with water bodies where all the 14 elephants will be let frew.
Fodder and foliage will be offered to the jumbos every day despite their presence there.
Explaining the concept of the ‘Elephant Park’, Executive Director of BBP Dr R Raju told Express, “Elephant is a wild animal which likes to live in forests.
The pachyderms love to walk 30-40 km daily in search of food.
They develop several diseases when they are restricted to an enclosure due to the lack of physical exercise.” He further said, “The park will be located near the Herbivores Park, and a final decision in this regard will be taken in a few days.” About the proposed elephant park, he said, “Just like lion and tiger safaris, tourists will be taken inside the elephant park in Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation buses and jeeps.” He said, “The park will become a reality in a couple of weeks.
Once the approval comes, the boundary walls will be strengthened.
Also deep pits will be dug so that the jumbos do not cross the park area.
Any orphaned jumbo calves found in other forests can be rehabilitated in this park,” the Executive Director added.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/elephant-park-at-bbp-soon/385614.html

Mango rates go up this summer

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BANGALORE: Like the city’s temperature, the prices of Mangoes are also soaring.
As of now, a small quantity of mangoes have arrived in the market but the prices are beyond the reach of the common man. Varieties of mango that never crossed Rs 50 per kg, have now crossed Rs 100.
Untimely rains coupled with other problems have affected the mango production this year. Every year, vendors get mangoes from Bangalore and surrounding areas and the produce is so high, that mango traders are forced to hold Mela’s.
But it is a different scenario this year as the mango production is less than 50 per cent than previous years.
“Mango produce this time is very low, which has forced us to link the scarcity with demand, leading to high rates.
The rates are 70 per cent higher than last year,” said Shawnaz Khan, a fruit vendor at Russel Market.
Mohammed Idrees Choudry, a fruit merchant and Russell Market Traders Association General Secretary said that unexpected rains during the flowering season damaged the crop.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/mango-rates-go-up-this-summer/385613.html

20 Shubh Jewellers stores opened

BANGALORE: Rajesh Exports Ltd, under its brand Shubh Jewellers, opened 20 new showrooms in the state on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Tuesday.
With this, the company has added 12,700 sq ft of retail space in addition to the existing 41,200 sq ft.
The opening of the 20 new showrooms has taken the total number of showrooms to 76 in the State, and a total of 80 showrooms across the country, thereby establishing the company as the largest retail jeweller in South India, the company claimed.
The new showrooms were opened at Hiriyur, Channarayapatna, Shimoga, Sagar, Shiralkoppa, Tirthahalli, Koppa, Chikmagalur, Kadur, Chitradurga, Challakere, Bellary, Ramanagaram, Arsikere, Holenarsipur, BC Road, Athani, Basavakalyan and Banaswadi, the company said.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/20-Shubh-Jewellers-stores-opened/385616.html

Peel the summer away with green treats for skin

BANGALORE: With work, no doubt there is stress. And stress adversely affects two areas — back muscles, skin and hair. As people go without rest (not necessarily sleep), the system will let us know through pains, aches, wrinkles rashes and hairfall. This is when one heads to the spa, which is fast becoming the preferable choice to heal.
Stress relief takes a different turn in summer, where the body stays dehydrated despite efforts to drink water and juices.
So, one summer day, this reporter tried out a summer special facial called 'Chilled Radiant' offered by Green Trends. This is a therapeutic, non-invasive skin treatment that uses Dead Sea minerals to scrub black heads away. The scrubbing is followed by massage to improve blood circulation and also exfoliate dead skin cells.
Later, extracts from melons and cherries are used to allow the skin to hydrate and also absorb anti-oxidants found in abundance in these fruits. Anti-oxidants heals the skin from sun damage the slows the skin-ageing process.
The facial leaves you feeling rejuvenated and radiant and more importantly with the feeling that your are being pampered. This makes you feel like stress flowing out of your body allowing a much-needed rest in summer. In fact, several salons including Green Trends offer summer skin retreat packages that include facials, and hair and body massages to de-stress. The head massage which uses hibiscus oil is especially refreshing.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Peel-the-summer-away-with-green-treats-for-skin/385458.html

Raj’s village awaits memorial for its son

TALWADI: As fans prepare to mark the 84th birth anniversary of late Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar, there are no signs of celebrations in Gajanur, his native village, as successive governments have done nothing to build a memorial for him.
There were promises to develop Gajanur and Raj’s house into a centre to showcase his six-decade journey from theatre to cinema and his emergence as a leading star in Kannada cinema.
Villagers now fear people may forget Gajanur as there is no structure there to remind them about the thespian, save for Rajkumar’s old house in Doddagajanur and a farm house near Talawadi. The house, which Rajkumar loved, is in a dilapidated state and is being maintained by his relative.
The 50,000 Kannadigas in Talawadi in Sathyamanagalam Assembly constituency of Erode district, have named a circle after Rajkumar and have now built pressure on the Karnataka government to build the memorial and Kannada Bhavan.
Kannada activist Jagadish said the memorial must have an open-air theatre, museum and portraits about the actor’s life. However, villagers have taken up renovation of the centuries-old Beereshwara temple where Rajkumar spent time during his visits.
Rajkumar had made it a point to shoot his hits, including Kavirathna Kalidasa, here. Villagers say Rajkumar offered puja here before a shoot or journey.
Priest Mahadev said Rajkumar’s son Shivarajkumar had promised to build the gopuram of the temple, which will have a hall and garden.
Kannada Development Authority chairman Mukyamanthri Chandru said he has written to CM D V Sadananda Gowda, Kannada and Culture Department and Tamil Nadu government to build a Kannada Bhavan and memorial.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/raj%E2%80%99s-village-awaits-memorial-for-its-son/385300.html

Sonia to address KPCC on April 28

[QUOTE]BANGALORE: Congress president and chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi, who will visit Karnataka on April 28 to express solidarity with those affected by drought, will also address the General Body (GB) of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
The visit, lasting a day, will be the first-ever of the UPA chairperson to the state after the formation of the new KPCC GB. KPCC president G Parameshwar told Express that Sonia will address the GB after calling on the centenarian seer of the Siddaganga Mutt, Shivakumara Swamiji, who will turn 105 on April 28. All KPCC members, senior leaders will be present.
“She will be in the Mutt for over an hour and pay obeisance to the pontiff,” he said. It may be pertinent to note that following the formation of the GB, discontent brewed in the KPCC. The GB formation came in for criticism from MLC T John and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, after many of the latter’s supporters failed to make its grade.
However, the issue died down after it came to fore that the GB was formed at Sonia’s insistence.[QUOTE]

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/sonia-to-address-kpcc-on-april-28/384884.html

Western Ghats Task force to promote ecotourism in Agumbe

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Farmers sporting the Kamblis (traditional wear) to protect themselves from the rains are on their way to the fields at Agumbe ( which is known as the Chirapunji of the South) in Tirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district.

Agumbe will be made a plastic-free zone, says Ashisar

Chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force Ananth Hegde Ashisar said on Tuesday that the task force would be promoting ecotourism at Agumbe in Shimoga district.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr. Ashisar said that a parking area would be developed at Agumbe. And, all efforts would be made to make Agumbe a plastic-free zone.

He said that the task force involved scientists of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and also local scientists in drawing up its plans to preserve the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Mr. Ashisar said the task force has launched the ‘Karavali Hasiru Kavacha' (Coastal Green Cover) project at select places in the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada. This project is aimed at protecting coastal ecology and preventing beach erosion.

The task force is giving importance to cultivation of mangroves on the coastline. And it has taken steps to preserve the fragile ecology on the coastline, Mr. Ashisar said.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3350261.ece

A project raises a toast to the Cauvery Valley

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Soil type and conditions were tested before deciding on the root stocks, clones and varietals.

Sommeliers will learn to say Holesalu in T. Narasipura taluk

The rich red loamy soil of the Cauvery basin has a new aroma added to its list. So far known for millets, paddy and sugarcane, the basin now has an appellation and a vineyard to boast of.

Nestled amidst paddy fields by the Cauvery, Alpine Wineries is Karnataka's latest vineyard with state-of-the-art winery, and its effort has also helped the region get Cauvery Valley, the appellation (a protected name under which a wine can be sold) by the Karnataka government.

Third valley

While the wineries founder Raghavendra Gowda started the spadework for the vineyard in 2005-2006, the work on getting the appellation also started simultaneously. Months before the first bottles hit the market, the government acknowledged Cauvery valley as an appellation region, the third in the State after Nandi Valley and Krishna Valley.

Plants from Europe

At a time when the wine industry is teetering on the brink, the 247-acre vineyard at Holesalu village in T. Narasipura taluk, Mysore, is set to face many challenges. “The soil was sent to France for testing, varietals were identified and imported to India, labour was [painstakingly] trained to handle the plants with care and I had to struggle to get approvals,” Mr. Gowda, told The Hindu. “We continue to send our soil for testing in France as testing in India is not reliable. Viticulture is still in nascent stage here.”

While 5.5 lakh plants came from France and Austria, state-of-the-art viticulture and wine-making technologies come from 16 countries. “Everything was meticulously identified and we wanted to be on a par with the vineyards in the West,” he said.

Soil type and conditions were tested before deciding on the root stocks, clones and varietals. After considerable work, the vineyard has selected six each of red and white varietals for its wine while 28 varietals, including the 12 selected, are in the experimental block.

“The mortality rate was about 30 per cent. But it was not due to climatic conditions, but due to problems in transit and temperature,” said Mr. Gowda, who has worked for nearly eight years in vineyards across Europe.

As weather predictions available locally are not very accurate, the vineyard now collects and transmits data to the University of Basel. The data is interpreted and both disease and weather forecast is provided in real time. “Accurate forecasts help us in managing the vineyard better. Sprays are an expensive affair, and in the absence of an accurate forecast, a mild shower soon after a spray could cost us considerably,” he adds.

New varieties soon

The winery currently has the capacity to process 8 lakh litres, which can be expanded to 15 lakh litres. The Bordeaux-based Stephane Derenoncourt, one of the famous winemakers, was roped in to make the best wine from Cauvery valley. Currently, Alpine Wineries offers shiraz, cabernet shiraz, sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc, while it is set to introduce seven more varieties in 2013-2014. “The new introduction will be very different,” says Mr. Gowda, without divulging the details.

Coming as a shot in the arm, the winery, which produced its first consignment in 2011, already has enquiries from China and United Kingdom. “We have the potential to export if the product is good,” he says. He is already working on projects like wine tourism, restaurant, shop, sommelier school and so on.

Those interested in wine tours can contact Alpine Wineries at info@alpinewineries.com or call 40942447.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3350040.ece

Banashankari can now cool off with new swimming pool

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Swimming pool at Banashankari 2nd stage inaugurated for the public in Bangalore on 24 April, 2012.

Built to international standards, it has a baby pool, a gym

Residents of areas around Banashankari 2nd Stage now have a place to cool off. A swimming pool, complete with a fitness centre, was inaugurated by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Ganesh Mandir ward here on Tuesday. The inauguration was also part of the ward-level celebration of Kempe Gowda Day.

After inaugurating the swimming pool, Home Minister R. Ashok encouraged citizens to make use of the facility. “Youngsters need not go to tanks and lakes across the city where they risk drowning. Here, swimming will be supervised,” he said.

WATER SHORTAGE

About the severe water shortage in the city, he said the city's founding father Kempe Gowda had created hundreds of lakes across Bangalore. “Of these, several have disappeared. The Government will honour his memory by protecting the remaining lakes,” he said.

Mr. Ashok said that the new Mayor and the Deputy Mayor would be chosen on April 26.

With an eye on the next Assembly elections, he promised his electorate that the Padmanabhanagar constituency would be one of the best in the city. He said that basic infrastructure and civic amenities will be improved and a park and a free computer training centre would soon be opened.

Mayor Sharadamma urged citizens to maintain cleanliness and hygiene while making the best use of the facilities created by the BBMP.

After the inauguration, an award ceremony was held, rather hurriedly, to suit Mr. Ashok's schedule where 10 senior citizens from the ward were honoured for their contributions to various fields. Prizes were given away to the winners of various competitions that were organised as part of Kempe Gowda Day.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

The 50 m x 20 m swimming pool, which has been leased to Pooja Agencies, is built to international standards. It has changing rooms, a baby pool and a gym. There is a special batch for women. Mohan G., lessee, said: “Coaching by professionals for not just swimming but also yoga, aerobics and table tennis will be given here. This is what sets apart this centre from the other BBMP swimming pools.”

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3351852.ece

Majestic kindness

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The 1937 film The Elephant Boy was screened recently at the National Gallery of Modern Art to a full house


Even after 75 years, “The Elephant Boy” charms for its simple, yet compelling storyline and neatly-arranged narrative. “The Elephant Boy”, directed by Robert J. Flaherty and Zoltan Korda, was screened to a packed auditorium by The International Music and Arts Society in association with and at the National Gallery of Modern Art. There was hardly any place to stand, but many willingly did so for two hours.

The 1937-film, based on Rudyard Kipling's “Toomai of The Elephants”, tells the story of a young mahout boy, Toomai, who dreams of becoming a hunter. He helps his father take care of the majestic elephant, Kala Nag. The first half of the film shows the endearing bond between Toomai and Kala Nag. Kala Nag gently wraps Toomai in his trunk and puts him on his back and the duo travel to the village, stealing melons along the way.

On the job

But other, greater adventures are in store for them when Petersen, the British sa'ab, comes to their village to recruit elephants for a government assignment. Kala Nag, Toomai and his father are hired with others to round up and tame wild elephants. Peterson takes an immediate liking to young Toomai and almost assumes a mentor's role. Being only a boy, Toomai is at first made fun of by the older mahouts when he says that he will be a hunter. The chide him saying, “Yes you will be, when the elephants dance!”

Toomai faces tragic circumstances, but he eventually proves his worth and earns the respect of Peterson and the other mahouts.

The protagonist Sabu Dastagir, who originally hailed from Mysore, went onto essay exotic roles in Hollywood, Mowgli being another one of his well-known roles. His wide smile and winning personality fetched him fans and films alike in the United States, where he eventually settled. It is said that cameraman Osmond Borradaile of “The Elephant Boy” encountered Selar Shaik Sabu, who was then 11, taking care of elephants in the stables of the Maharaja of Mysore. Selar, whose name was later changed to Sabu, suited the character of the young mahout perfectly. It is also believed that Sabu learnt English for first time for “The Elephant Boy”.

“The Elephant Boy” is a delight for the many wonderful shots of elephants bathing in a river and tending to their young. Particularly touching was the scene in which Toomai tells Peterson, that he has learnt more from Kala Nag than the elephant has from him.

The sensitivity of the filmmakers is revealed through the interaction between Peterson and the mahouts. He is respectful towards them and there are no distinctions between the “coloniser” and the “colonised”.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article3349414.ece

Kengeri lake: Forgotten and forlorn

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Kengeri Lake can be a lifeline for borewells in and around Kengeri provided the authorities concerned take measures to maintain it properly.

The lake was developed by the state forest department at an estimated cost of ` 95 lakh in 1995. As part of development and rejuvenation of the lake, the forest department had developed islands, pathways and also fenced the 25-acre lake apart from providing boating facility. Now, the lake is full of weeds and water hyacinth, and the boats are also unfit for use.

“The forest department had been maintaining the lake well till three years ago. If the condition of the lake is anything to go by, it seems that no one has taken responsibility to maintain it,’’ said Shamanna Gowda, a resident of Kengeri.

One can see the abandoned boats at the bank of the lake and there is not a single person to guard them. A contractor had dumped the debris at the lake, just opposite to Kengeri Satellite Bus Stand, and even the lake’s fence is broken.

“I do not know why the forest department authorities have neglected this lake. The need of the hour is to remove weeds and water hyacinth from the lake and take up development works such as repairing the pathways, islands and replace the broken fence,’’ said P Sadananda, another resident of Kengeri.

Buses, hawkers become menace
With most of the Bangalore-bound BMTC and KSRTC busses not entering the bus stand, commuters wait on the road and not in the bus stand to board buses to Bangalore. As the authorities failed to provide a toilet near the bus shelter, the commuters have converted the lake bund in an open urinal.

The hawkers are second to none to pollute the lake by throwing leftover food and waste material into it. “The police do nothing. They collect money from the hawkers. The public also should not use the tank bund to attend nature’s call. It will be embarrassing for women commuters to see men attending nature’s call without any inhibition,’’ said a woman commuter.

Meanwhile, Hemanna NB, range forest officer, has said that it had become difficult for the forest department to maintain the lake due to acute shortage of funds.

“The state government has decided to handover the lake to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2010 but the civic body is yet to takeover its maintenance. It is almost more than two years, no development work was taken up at the lake,’’ said Hemanna.

However, R Anjanappa, corporator of Kengeri ward, said that a proposal has been sent to the BBMP to allocate Rs3 crore for the development of the lake.

“I expect the BBMP to sanction the funds this year for the development of the lake,’’ said Anjanappa.

When brought to Anjanappa’s notice about the debris and broken fence at the lake bund, he said that a contractor, who is assigned to lay water pipes, had dumped the debris. “The contractor will clear the debris as soon as the work is over,’’ said the corporator.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_kengeri-lake-forgotten-and-forlorn_1680469

Preventing jaywalking: Lessons from the world

While jaywalking is a troubling issue considering the dangers it poses for the pedestrian, the fact remains that apart from the knowledge that it is not safe, most pedestrians have no clue that jaywalking is against the law, although there is a fine under the Karnataka traffic a control act.

While the minimum fine for this is Rs50, under rule 8, 16 of the Karnataka Traffic Control Act; the final fine is decided by the magistrate and the offender has to pay the fine in court. Reports say that in the last five years, the traffic police have not filed a single person for jaywalking.

Although countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and USA have prohibited jay walking, it is not really enforced because of its rampancy. In Australia, although jaywalking itself is not an offense, a number of offenses exist in regard to walking without consideration for other motorists or for one’s safety, under the road traffic act 1971 and the Australia road rules. In Singapore, you could be fined S$500 for the offense for the first time while the second could land you in jail for three months. Repeat offenders could face a maximum of $2,000 fine and a jail term of up to 6 months.

Most countries also place protective barriers at dividers that may include metal fences, hedges that are planted on the centre median with wire fencing to disallow pedestrians from jumping across the hedges, high concrete barricades and barricades of wire above that, and so on.

MA Saleem, Addl. CP (traffic) counters that, “When there is a facility, we can prevent people from cutting across the street and jay walking, and perhaps enforce rules strictly.”

But the city never had any proper infrastructure for its pedestrians.

“We have made a proposal to increase the height of the central divider to about 6 feet, so that, neither people nor vehicles will attempt to jump across the divider and will use the skywalk instead,” said Saleem.

The traffic police will begin with KG road near Khandaya Bhavan. The footpaths on this stretch have already been covered with railings to prevent pedestrians from spilling over on to the road.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_preventing-jaywalking-lessons-from-the-world_1680466

Now, school loans to the rescue of parents

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Such loans usually range between Rs1 lakh and Rs4 lakh, with an interest of about 12.5%

Vijaymurthy Parthasarathy chose a school near his house for his two children. However, the high fees demanded by the school forced him to take a personal loan to pay off Rs1.25 lakh towards school expenses. And then he learnt that some banks are offering exclusive loans for paying school fees, which are increasingly becoming popular among middle-class parents of school-going children.

In Bangalore, paying your child’s school fees can leave you poorer by anywhere between Rs50,000 and Rs3 lakh a year. To resolve this issue, a few banks have started offering education loans for school fees, which are directly paid by the banks to the schools, as in higher education loans.

Though it is yet to meet the popularity expected by the banks, there is an increasing trend wherein parents are seeking school fees loans.

“There is definitely a growing demand for such loans. Though the portfolio is not as big as it is in the case of higher education, the ever-increasing school fees is forcing people to come to us,” said Ram Sangapure, general manager, Central Bank of India, which started offering school fees loans in 2008-2009 when they received 105 applications, which then grew to 1,100 in 2011-12.

Though several banks offer loans for higher education, there are only a few who offer educational loans specifically for school students — Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, State Bank of Hyderabad and J&K Bank. Such loans usually range between Rs1 lakh and Rs4 lakh, with an interest of about 12.5%. Normally, parents sought personal loans to pay high fees at an interest of up to 15%.

And to gauge the present level of popularity of the not-much-heard-of school fees loan, that State Bank of Hyderabad disbursed at least Rs300 crore in school fees loans of a total of Rs1,200 crore in education loans.

“Last year, we saw a decent jump in loan amount taken for school fees. We are trying to popularise it by advertising frequently through mails sent to schools and boarding school,” said a bank official.

There are certain criteria that the school fees loan applicant must meet. One of them is that the parents need to have a regular source of income,” said Adhil Shetty, CEO, BankBazaar.com, a financial services company.

Arun Kamath who had taken a personal loan to get his daughter through middle school, is now contemplating taking a school fees loan.

“I want my child to get the best education and high school fees should not be a hindrance,” he said, adding that taking such a loan for school is a good option as one gets tax exemption as well.

Delhi Public School, for instance, charges anything between Rs70,000 and Rs80,000 per annum from its students, including school transportation charges.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_now-school-loans-to-the-rescue-of-parents_1680461

Coming soon, 100 skywalks in Bangalore

Crossing Bangalore's busy roads is going to be safer and more convenient for pedestrians young and old.

Skywalks with lift car or escalator facility are being planned in 20 locations which could also help in decongesting roads running under them.

The first such skywalk will open in front of Khandaya Bhavan on KG Road on Wednesday.

Tenders for 14 skywalks have been floated for locations such as Inner Ring Road, near Embassy Golf Link Park, Christ University, NR Colony, among others.

A feasibility study for another 100 skywalks is being done by Deloitte consultants. Each skywalk will cost between Rs1.5 crore and Rs2.5 crore depending on whether lift car or escalator is employed.

According to BBMP officials, these skywalks will be built in a public private partnership (PPP) basis with the BBMP making money in the process. “Private companies who build the skywalk will make money out of advertisements. They will have to pay an annual amount as license fee to the corporation,” said an official.

Some of the other areas where the skywalks will come up are,Inner Ring Road near Embassy Golf Link Park, Christ University, in NR colony, Mount Carmel College, Tavarekere, Hosur Road, Pallavi Theatre, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, Maharani Women’s College and BBMP Yelahanka zone office.

The BBMP hopes that with lifts and escolators being introduced in the skywalks more people will use them to cross roads.

Files missing
Almost three months after six skywalk projects were approved by the council, the roads and infrastructure department is yet to begin work on the six skywalks that were planned in the city as the department is yet to receive files from the mayor’s office, said officials.

The six skywalks were planned at least two years ago. However, because of a case filed against the construction of these skywalks the pace of the work was hampered.

In 2011, the issue was placed in the council, In January 2012 it was approved after some clarifications from the roads and infrastructure department.

However, sources said the project is in limbo as the department is yet to receive the signed files from the mayor’s office.

When the mayor’s office was approached regarding the issue, C Lingaiah, personal secretary to the Mayor said that the office had not received any files from the council secretary, although the council secretary, KN Chandrashekar, claimed that files had already been forwarded.

Since the project cannot move further without the signature of the mayor and the mayor is on her way out, the fate of the skywalks is uncertain.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_coming-soon-100-skywalks-in-bangalore_1680463

Banashankari can now cool off with new swimming pool

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Swimming pool at Banashankari 2nd stage inaugurated for the public in Bangalore on 24 April, 2012.

Built to international standards, it has a baby pool, a gym



source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article3351852.ece

Phew!!!! Finally, after 8-9 years since the construction started this pool is now open :bash:

Bangalore Journal: Living in India’s ‘Costliest City’

SRC: http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/04/26/bangalore-journal-living-in-indias-costliest-city/

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Debalina Ghosh, 23, moved to Mumbai four months ago, cursing Bangalore’s high cost of living. “There is just nothing that I could save,” the PR professional says, casting her mind back to expensive auto rides within the city and the high cost of rent.

Figures from the Reserve Bank of India on the consumer price index for industrial workers show that Bangalore sits higher than other tier-one cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. The CPI, calculated with 2001 as the base year, measures a standard basket of essential commodities like food, clothing, transport, electricity and education.

Kartik Ganapathy, a partner at IndusLaw, says costs are being driven up by the growing consumer class in the city, while a Legatum Institute-funded study on Bangalore by Edward Glaeser of Harvard University adds: “Real incomes grew by 73% between 1998 and 2005. This growth was much faster than the growth of India as a whole… Today [2010], Bangalore incomes are nearly seventy percent higher than the Indian average.”

“The rise of Bangalore as a software center has certainly created large financial benefits for many Indians. The city is now home to 10,000 millionaires and per capita income in the urban agglomeration is twice that of the Indian average,” Mr. Glaeser says.

Manohar Shastri, a 43-year-old who works in the software industry, says he was paid 5,000 rupees ($95) a month when he started work in Bangalore in the early 1990s. Nowadays he lives in a two-storey house in the semi-posh locality of south Bangalore and can afford to send his only son to one of the city’s most expensive schools, but he feels the pinch: “For a family of three watching a movie over the weekend would mean an expenditure of more than a thousand rupees… we just can’t afford it all the time.”

“Since Bangalore has the highest paid professionals, the price of traded goods and local services go up,” says Jayati Ghosh, an economics professor at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, “this affects the poor more adversely.”

Citing a report by the Indian Institute of Science, Mr. Glaeser’s study adds that about 25% of Bangalore’s population lives in “official” slums.

After a one kilometer hike in the hot April sun, Mary Rani reaches her 10-feet wide tin hut, carrying her monthly groceries – 16 kilograms of rice and 3kg of sugar. “I just paid 250 rupees for it,” the 27-year-old grumbles. She holds a BPL (Below Poverty Line) card that enables her to buy grains and sugar at a lower cost from government Fair Price Shops.

“I can’t afford to buy rice from anywhere else as it would cost me 35-40 rupees per kg,” she says. Her family’s monthly income is 6,000 rupees ($115), of which 700 rupees goes to rent for the shack where she lives with her husband and four sons. Mary’s husband, Anthony, is a construction worker.

“The city is almost uninhabitable for the poor,” says Bhawani, a community worker in the slums of Valmiki Nagar in west Bangalore. “Costs of essentials like vegetables and LPG [liquefied petroleum gas] cylinders have reached the sky.” In Bangalore, it costs 415 rupees for a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder, compared with 402 rupees in Mumbai and a heavily subsidized 399 rupees in New Delhi.

Rising costs in Bangalore could also have an adverse impact on the ability of the “Garden City” to attract businesses. Shiela Britto came to Bangalore from Mumbai in 2003 to set up a consultancy firm that deals with, among other things, infrastructure and solar energy. Her office is located on the posh MG Road and she considers herself to be in the high income group, but she bemoans the surge in real estate prices and labor costs since her arrival.

Today, entrepreneurs like Ms. Britto might think twice about setting up shop in Bangalore, even though city is still known for its start-up culture.

“Start-ups in Bangalore mean largely IT sector start-ups even today,” says Mr. Ganapathy of IndusLaw. But because of the rising costs in the city, “such enthusiasm might not last long,” he adds

The village that wove clothes for Tipu, Indira

MANDYA: Kodiyala village about 12km from Mandya city is famed for its community of weavers who have clothed royalty including the Mysore family and Tipu Sultan. The legacy continues even today.

History has it that about 160 families of the Padmashali community of weavers who migrated from Andhra Pradesh 300 years ago settled down in this village and started their profession. Soon their weaves caught the eye of the royal families around who placed orders for cloth, and thus began a long relationship between the community and the royals.

Some elders of the community said that Tipu Sultan who ruled from Srirangapatna was very fond of cotton cloth manufactured in Kodiyala village. He is said to have helped the Padmashali community by giving concessions in royal taxes and importing raw material from abroad.

Another proud memory for the weavers is of then prime minister Indira Gandhi who visited their weavers' colony and was impressed with their handlooms and saris. "Leaders like Indira Gandhi former chief ministers Devaraj Urs and SM Krishna were seriously interested in our profession and village" said 80 year-old Narayanappa a weaver. "Impressed that 200 families of our village are running textile manufacturing units SM Krishna had ordered that an exclusive power line be drawn from Tubinakere power station for continuous power supply." This is perhaps the only weavers' colony in the state which is so privileged.

Weavers say they are not facing any problem. The market for their products is spread over the entire nation andthereis always a good demand. Neither is there a shortage of raw material and labour. "We are content with our profession. If the erstwhile kings hadn't supported our ancestors and our profession was not encouraged by the government we may not have been so successful," said Narayanappa. He claimed their material is of high quality. "We produce rich colourful saris and dhotis, with eye-catching motifs. We have switched to powerlooms and use polycotton thread" he said.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/The-village-that-wove-clothes-for-Tipu-Indira/articleshow/12874763.cms

Gramathana sites: Court stays ban on registration

BANGALORE : In a big relief tothose aspiring to buy sites in the periphery of Bangalore the Karnataka high court on Wednesday stayed the government circular banning registration of 'Gramathana sites' in three districts abutting thecity.(Gramathana sites come under village panchayat limits.)

The circular was issued to the effect on April 3, 2012. A high court vacation division bench headed by Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh pas-sed the order on a PIL filed H Hemanth Kumar and others.

The state government had issued a directive to the district registrars and sub-registr-ars asking them not to register any Gramathana sites in Bangalore Urban Bangalore Rural and Ramanagaram districts.

The petitioners have claimed that restricting such a circular to three districts smacks of selective action. They have stated that the circular is affecting thousands of people who want to have a shelter of their own a right guaranteed under the Constitution apart from hitting those who want to sell/buy properties.

They have complained that the circular suffers on the jurisdictional side as it seeks to overrule the Indian Registration Act, Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act and Transfer of Properties Act, all central legislations and beyond the powers of the state.

The state authorities had issued a directive to the district registrars /sub-registrars asking them not to register those sites which are agricultural which are green belt and which have norequisite permission from the competent authorities for forming a layout so as to prevent registration of such Gramathana sites by using bogus /fake records.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Gramathana-sites-Court-stays-ban-on-registration/articleshow/12874697.cms

Crossover cuisines a hit in alien markets

BANGALORE: Aloo bharta daal baati churma gatte ka pulao khichu, trevti daal mavinakai menaskai (tender mango cooked in black sesame and coconut based sweet and sour sauce, kothmir vonkaya koora (tender brinjals cooked in a coriander and chilly based gravy and kosha mangsho are just a few regional dishes that are making heads turn and keeping cash registers ringing across India .

Traditionally Indian cuisine in India and abroad is largely associated with the generic charms of dal makhani kebabs naan and butter chicken. Now, though the tables have turned with diners across the country adopting various regional Indian cuisines -- to the extent that some restaurateurs see the demand for regional cuisines being higher than the tried-and-tested Chinese Italian and Mediterranean. Also, in a cultural crossover of sorts some of these cuisines seem to be doing better out of their home turf.

Rajdhani the vegetarian thali restaurant chain that specializes in the regional cuisines of Gujarat and Rajasthan says an overwhelming majority of sales comes from its southern market. "Our southern restaurants on an average clock 20% to 25% higher sales than our restaurants in the north" says Gaurav Goenka MD, Mirah Group which operates 35 Rajdhani outlets across the country of which 15 are located in the south, of which nine are in Bangalore.

Goenka believes that one reason for Rajdhani's success story in the south could be attributed to the fact that "the south has always had a thali culture commonly referred to as 'meals'. Hence Rajdhani's thali has found many takers. In the south, especially Bangalore there is a large IT population with higher disposable incomes" points out Goenka adding that in Bangalore unlike Mumbai or Delhi the frequency of repea tcustomers is four times a week.

READY TO EXPERIMENT

Anjan Chatterjee founder and MD, Speciality Restaurants which runs popular food chains such as Mainland China admits that when he launched Oh! Calcutta specializing in Bengali food, in the early nineties there weren't many takers for the cuisine except non-resident Bengalis. "The dining-out culture has changed as people are now ready to experiment. Today our Oh! Calcutta restaurants across the country attract equal or probably more local diners than non-resident Bengalis" says Chatterjee.

South Indies a fine-dining restaurant chain specializing in South Indian vegetarian food, which started in Bangalore has hit gold in Pune. Dishing out the same menu and buffet spread as in Bangalore the Pune outlet, which opened in September 2011, broke even within three months. It has been clocking per day revenues equivalent to those of its outlets in Bangalore on a Sunday a day that sees peak traffic. Buoyed by the demand the restaurant chain increased its buffet price in Pune by Rs 200, but did not meet with any resistance.

"The frequency of repeat customers at our Pune restaurant is 30-40 % higher compared to Bangalore" says Vijay Abhimanyu MD, Billionsmiles Hospitality which also runs Bon South and Up South.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Crossover-cuisines-a-hit-in-alien-markets/articleshow/12874672.cms

Finally! The heavens have opened up

After days of sweltering heat, Bengaluru experienced evening showers on Wednesday. The city rain recorded 4.2 mm rainfall by 8.30 pm. Rain at HAL airport was recorded to be 3.3 mm while at Yelahanka, it was 0.8 mm. The weatherman says that the coming days will bring more rains to the city. One or two spells of rain or thundershowers are expected on Thursday too. The evening rain brought a much needed respite from heat for Bengalureans lowering the city temperature by around 5 degrees. The maximum temperature on Wednesday was 37.5 degrees. After Wednesday’s rain, the maximum temperature on Thursday is expected to drop to around 32 degrees. The minimum temperature came down from 23.6 degrees on Wednesday to 22.3 degrees on Thursday. Monday was the hottest day of April in the city so far with a record temperature of 37.1 degrees.

The rain however delayed the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. Two wheeler riders did not seem to mind a ride in the rain which slowed down the movement of traffic on MG Road, Queens Road, Cubbon Road, Bannerghatta Road and Silk Board. The BBMP control room did not report any rain related complaints on Wednesday.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/finally-heavens-have-opened-835

“Costs of essentials like vegetables and LPG [liquefied petroleum gas] cylinders have reached the sky.” In Bangalore, it costs 415 rupees for a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder, compared with 402 rupees in Mumbai and a heavily subsidized 399 rupees in New Delhi.


I would say the reality regarding LPG is far more grave.

Many would not be having the public sector gas connections, like us. We depend on the private gas. Last change of cylinder I gave Rs. 1050/- for the domestic gas cylinder. It was some Rs.750-800 till last year and now it has gone up.

Getting public sector gas connection is not easy, you need to have ‘Ration Card’ here. Getting Ration Card is also cumbersome affair. First you have to cancel the name in the Ration card in your home state, get NOC, and the give it here. Most would not get time for all those sarkari affairs, plus communication issues. Majority of the migrants would be young, so they may not have connections back in their home town to transfer also.

Other costly things are Fuel (esp Petrol), Road Tax etc. Infact the gap is so wide with other states. Now it is said that the business of the fuel stations in Karwar (Northern Karnataka) have plummeted as Goa sells Petrol Rs. 20/- cheaper. (Around Rs. 54/- against Rs.74/- in KA). Road Tax is around 13% to 16% whereas in Kerala it is 6%. When you buy a 10 lakh car, you need to spend additional 1 lakh as tax and registration.

I have to spend here Rs. 80/- for a strong beer in a local retail liqour shop while it is Rs. 55/- in Kerala. It is Rs. 375/- in an upmarket pub like TGI Friday's while it cost me only Rs. 200/-in a Taj Vivanta in Trivandrum.

Anyway no complaints, what we earn extra here, goes as expenditure.:) (Also as flight tickets to home) You always have a choice, whether to live here or not!

On road to beauty

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2012/4/25/1-ON.jpg

[QUOTE]BANGALORE: Ushering in a multitude of international names, Namma Bengaluru has now emerged as the new development destination of the country.
Apart from experiencing dramatic social and cultural changes with the expansion of information technology and other industries, the city has also undergone a huge change with respect to the cultural and social structure.
Today, Bangalore has evolved from being a ‘pensioner’s paradise’ to the ‘Silicon Valley of India’.
Keeping in mind, the rich heritage and traditions of the city, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have introduced several initiatives in the past to retain the city’s urban landscape.
Right from painting folk art and intricate motifs on walls, installing sculptures to rejuvenating lakes and gardens, these ‘exercises’ have identified the urgent need to maintain the beauty of Bangalore.
In an attempt to give the city, a complete makeover yet again, BBMP in collaboration with Bharathi Cements will beautify six traffic islands by installing innovative cement sculptures.
As a part of this unique initiative, the installations titled The Power of 4 on Race Course Road and The Tree of Life on Mekhri circle will be inaugurated on April 27.
Speaking about this project, an official from BBMP said, “This is an initiative undertaken for the beautification of six circles in Bangalore.
The intention is to make each of these circles aesthetically attractive.
Since the maintenance as well as installation has been undertaken by the private sector, this initiative is an indirect benefit to the BBMP.” Designed and created by renowned artists like the late Luke Abraham of Swordfish Design, Nagaraj, Pushparaj, and Venkatesh, the thematic sculptures will also be installed at Freedom park (Evolution ) and Janta Dal Office circle (Continuum).
Located at strategic places, these installations signify historical uniqueness of the location.
“Bangalore has established itself at an eminent position globally.
Keeping this in mind, we wanted to come up with a initiative that would signify the heritage of the city.
With the advent of IT, the city has scaled new heights of development.
However, with respect to civic amenities, we have a long way to go.
Hence, the idea of installing sculptures at prominent locations came about.
The entire project cost about Rs 2 crores.
And it is a private-public partnership that will be maintained by us for five years,” said Anil Manjunath, marketing manager, Bharathi Cements.[QUOTE]

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/on-road-to-beauty/385715.html

Gentlemen, vacate women’s seats

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BANGALORE: Reservation for women, be it in the Parliament or to the question of seats exclusively reserved in a public transport, has always aroused passions in the hearts of men. Their argument: Women cannot claim this facility as they are considered as equals. The common saying one gets to hear on the buses is, “Where is gender equality and why do women claim reservation in today’s world ?”
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has many issues that needs to be tackled — like the exclusive seats reserved for women that are usually occupied by men and of course safety. Lakhs of people commute in thousands of buses on a daily basis. These buses are considered to be a safe mode of transportation by many, especially women and children. But, what are the safety measures that BMTC authorities have taken with respect to women travelling at all times in buses?
It is a known fact that 16 seats in the front portion of all ordinary buses are reserved for women, two seats for physically challenged and two seats for senior citizens. One can notice that each of these seats are clearly labelled as reserved, ‘For ladies only’. Despite these measures, commuters witness that at the peak hours or during late night hours, these reserved seats are mostly occupied by men of all age groups.
Many women in the city have raised their voice every now and then against the ‘continuing attitude of men’ that they have to face everyday. “There are many instances where men have refused to vacate these seats and continue to sit comfortably in the seats and sometimes even abuse women for demanding this facility while the conductor remains a helpless spectator. Sometimes they pretend to be sleeping or act as though they fail to understand what we try to communicate. In such a situation, I have always made it a point to bring it to the notice of the conductor. Many a time, they failed to carry their responsibilities,” said Jayamma T K, a regular commuter.
When asked, the Chief Security and Vigilance Officer of BMTC, Ramachandraiah B M, said that the responsibility lies with the conductor to see to it that seats reserved for women and senior citizens are not occupied by men. “If the conductor fails to take up the responsibility then, women can file a complaint at the control room against those who have occupied the seats. The instructions are given to control rooms to connect the victim to Road Patrol Sarathi squads, who address the issue immediately.”
He later contradicted his statement and said that it is Herculean job to take up strict action against the violators as the victim may not be able to provide enough information about the identity of the person. “If the issue is considered serious, then the violator is taken to the nearest police station, where he has to pay penalty.” For any help, women can call on the toll-free number 7760991399 to lodge complaints.
Topics:BMTC, seats, gender equality


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/gentlemen-vacate-women%E2%80%99s-seats/385716.html

Crispy noodles-stuffed dosas anyone?

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BANGALORE: A street filled with stalls, lanterns hanging at every stall, is a visual feast for one’s eyes. When you walk in, you feel like, you are at a fast food joint, may be in an old world, European city. One can already see a bunch of people, gently loitering around, deciding which snack to choose from the 20 stationary and mobile stalls, lined up in a row, to be grabbed by the eager gourmand.
The evenings are a perfect time for all the young and old, enthusiastic foodies to take a stroll outside the Laxmidevi Park at Koramangala. A treat for one’s senses as the aroma of vast varieties of local and global cuisines, varying from dosas, bondas, bajjis, vadapavs, pani-puris to Chinese momos, noodles and Italian pizzas, wafts through the streets. At late evening and the road at Koramangala 6th Block is now bustling with people, from all walks of life. Senior citizens, techies or college students, everyone is crowding to grab a bite from any of the stalls here. It dishes out vegetarian, non-vegetarian and Chinese delicacies to the customers.
One can start out with a dosa stall offering 99 varieties of crispy dosas. One would have never expected an item such as a Chinese dosa. The idea of noodles stuffed in your dosa may sound ridiculous, but the very process of its preparation makes your mouth water. Prakash, the owner of this stall says, “Among the varieties available here, paneer dosa, Mysore dosa and mushroom dosa are in demand.” Sahaja, a student of St Joseph’s College likes the taste of the dosas. “This place surprised me with its varieties. The size of the dosa is good, it really fills you,” she says.
Moving on, Chinese stall has options of full course meals, momos and soup. Dishes like chicken thukpa, and momos served with spicy sauce and various kinds of noodles ensures repeat customers. This road is gaining popularity as the ‘food street’. The stalls don’t just offer Indian and Chinese. You can enjoy a pizza for just Rs 50 here. One can also bump into a coconut vendor, or sample hot bondas, bhajjis and chaats. On your way back home, you can pick up fruits for dessert.
Look out for Madheshwara, an elderly man who sells roasted corn with spicy masala, one of the healthier food items sold here. He caters perfectly to the customers’ taste. Grab a corn and it will last you your entire walk down the road. He says, “My customers are content with what I provide. I used to make better profits earlier. Now with the variety available on the street, my business has come down.”
Some people may be hesitant to eat food on the streets, as they consider it unhygienic, but this joint begs to differ as cleanliness is its hallmark. It is reassuring to see everyone observe hygiene to the point of wearing plastic gloves. Jayanthi Rao, a house wife, says, “We can see vegetables are very fresh and clean. I regularly take parcels from these stalls.”
To maintain a stall on this street, one doesn’t need to posses a license. However, they keep it going by tipping the local police. Vendors say that they are unaware of the need for license as they pay weekly “tax” to the police.
To visit this place, go to Koramangala Post Office and ask for the directions. Or just follow your nose.


source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/crispy-noodles-stuffed-dosas-anyone/385717.html

Lift facility at KG Road skywalk

BANGALORE: Crossing Kempegowda Road, one of the busiest roads in the city, is easy now. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has installed lift facility at the skywalk which has been built across the road.
Mayor Sharadamma, on her last day as Mayor on Wednesday, inaugurated this facility. The lift has been installed to help elders, physically challenged and others who are unable to climb the stairway.
According to a BBMP official, the lift has a capacity of 1000 kg (13 persons). There will be a lift operator present in the lift all through the day to ensure the safety of the passengers. A generator will provide backup during power cuts.
First Glitch
Due to technical snags, the lift was not in operation for a short duration after the inauguration. It questioned the safety of the lift, though it did not create much confusion as there was no urgent need for the lift.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Lift-facility-at-KG-Road-skywalk/385821.html