Bangalore Discussions

[JhonJ]

Pak swelling nuclear arsenal to counter India, says US report



Primarily aimed at India, Pakistan is making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal and "could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons," a Congressional report has said.

"Pakistan appears to be increasing its fissile production capability and improving its delivery vehicles in order to hedge against possible increases in India's nuclear arsenal."Islamabad may also accelerate its current nuclear weapons efforts," the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in a report.

In addition to making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal, Pakistan could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons, the report said.

In its latest report, prepared for the US lawmakers, CRS said that Pakistan's nuclear weapons program is mainly aimed to address the threat perception it has from India and thus act as a deterrent from India.

"India has stated that it needs only a "credible minimum deterrent", but has never defined what it means by such a deterrent and has refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty," it said, adding that Pakistani officials have stated that the government may need to increase significantly its nuclear arsenal in response to possible Indian plans to do the same.

Besides lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons, Pakistan may also consider fielding non-strategic nuclear weapons in order to increase the credibility of its nuclear deterrent versus Indian conventional military operations.

Dated July 23, the CRS in its report said Pakistan's nuclear arsenal probably consists of approximately 90-110 nuclear warheads, although it could be larger.

"Islamabad is producing fissile material, adding to related production facilities, and deploying additional delivery vehicles," it said, adding these steps could enable Pakistan to undertake both quantitative and qualitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal.

"Whether and to what extent Pakistan's current expansion of its nuclear weapons-related facilities is a response to the 2008 US-India nuclear cooperation agreement is unclear.

"Islamabad does not have a public, detailed nuclear doctrine, but its 'minimum credible deterrent' is widely regarded as designed to dissuade India from taking military action against Pakistan," CRS said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...l-counter.html

[JhonJ]

Natural cave unearthed

The forest officials have recently unearthed a natural cave inisde the thick forest, in Kodagu district.

The cave is situated near Anderson stream inside thick forest at Vatekoli, which is 15 kms from Virajpet- Makutta road. The cave is 60 metre long and two metres in height. According to forest department officials, they have heard the sound of water inside the cave. “If there is water inside the cave, then it would be giving shelter to water creatures like fish, crab and so on. Realising the decrease in oxygen inside the cave, the officials did not make an attempt to move further inside the cave.”

The bats will welcome anyone who enters the cave. Normally, snakes live in and around those areas where bats live, say officials. Kodagu Circle Chief Conservator of Forest Deekshith said that the cave must have been formed by the flow of water through limestone and similar rocks. Water seeps into the pores and cracks of rocks and soil and bubbles beneath the earth above. Such caves are called as Solution caves.

The soil in the cave is a mixture of white and grey colour and is soft. The roof of the cave is strong. “We could not see the cave fully. The cave will provide an opportunity for the geologists to make a study. I will inform the State government on the discovery of a cave. If the government sends an expert, we will get more details on the cave,” said an official. It is said that the forest guards had discovered it a year ago. However, they had not informed it to the higher authorities. After taking charge, Deekshith visited the spot. In fact, he has marked the route to the cave through GPS.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...unearthed.html

[JhonJ]

‘Jackfruit can be next major export’

Jackfruit, often perceived to be an inferior crop, could be the State’s next major export. The fruit, if processed properly, has the potential to earn the State a lot of revenue, said activist Shree Padre

Speaking at the Horticulture Day celebrations at Lalbagh on Wednesday, he explained various initiatives taken across the world in exploiting commercial value of the fruit. He suggested the Horticulture department to popularise the crop. “The disadvantages are its overwhelming scent, size and difficulty in processing it,” he said. But, adoption of modern technology can give it a push. As part of the series of lectures organised for the day, K Amaranarayana, secretary to deputy chief minister, explained the methods adopted in various countries for making the City greener. Based on his studies of green architecture in London and Libya, he said: “A majority of Libya is a desert. Making use of the little resources, the country has planted indigenous varieties along the roads.” He said if the community is roped in, the results could be manifold.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...or-export.html

[JhonJ]

Reddy bail deal money raised through hawala

The confessions made by two Karnataka legislators - Somashekhara Reddy and T H Suresh Babu - though contradictory in nature, have revealed enough for the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau sleuths to suspect that the cash to bribe the judge in bail deal was raised through hawala.

Somashekara Reddy, the BJP legislator from Bellary, has reportedly remained tight-lipped about the source of the bribe money paid to the accused judges and others involved in the deal.

With the two MLAs making contradictory statements on the source of money, the ACB is planning to bring the disgraced mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, currently in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bangalore, to Hyderabad to get to the root of the scam. Sources said the ACB is planning to file a prisoner transit warrant to secure his presence in Hyderabad. “As Janardhana Reddy is the beneficiary in the bail deal, his grilling is essential to throw light on the case,” sources in the investigative agency told Deccan Herald.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...ey-raised.html

[JhonJ]

BWSSB plans to popularise RWH Park

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is planning to seek the support of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) to popularise the country’s first Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) Theme Park set up in the city.

Sir M Visvesvaraya Rain Water Harvesting Theme Park, located on 40th cross,8th Main, Jayanagar 5th Block, has been set up at a cost of Rs 2.7 crore. It was inaugurated in March 2011. Till July 31, only 8,093 visitors, including 4,138 students from over 61 school and colleges across the city, have visited the park.

BWSSB Chief Engineer Kemparamaiah told Express, “We have already written to schools and colleges to send students. Now, we will write to KSTDC so that they can bring tourists to the theme park.”

The visitor’s record book at the park shows that students from other states and some foreign countries like Kenya and US have visited it as part of their project works. “Biswanath Sukul, Chairman of Old Malda Municipality in West Bengal visited the theme park on August 4 and wanted to set up a similar park at West Bengal,” said a BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer.

Water Expert S Vishwanath said, “It is unfortunate that the park, which gives information on water, has failed to inspire our own people. It needs aggressive publicity and it is a good effort to popularise it through tourists”.

The park is open for public from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. It will now be open even on Sundays till 1 pm. The visitors will be shown documentaries on RWH in the auditorium and taken around the 28 working models of RWH set up at the park. Technical assistance is given to those interested on RWH between 11 am and 1 pm on Fridays.

When Express spoke to C D Dyavaiah, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, he said, “We have not received any letters from the water board. Once, we receive the letter, we will have a look at the theme park and other facilities. If we find that the theme park interests the tourists, we will send the tourists there,” he added.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/b...icle585920.ece

[JhonJ]

Going to town with a colonial legacy




Once called ‘a settlement too good for its inhabitants’, Murphy Town retains many of its century-old amenities

Time warp: In striking contrast to nearby Cambridge Layout, Murphy Town resists change and remains the settlement that was planned a century ago

Sahayaraj, a 49-year-old driver, stays in a single bedroom house near Indiranagar, paying rent of Rs. 3 per month to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). So does 85-year-old Sivalingam, who works in the 125-year-old temple in his area, after having retired from the Army 25 years ago. Their neighbour pays only Rs. 0.50 a month for a slightly smaller house.

There are 37 such households living in what is perhaps the most unchanged legacy of the erstwhile Cantonment — Murphy Town. In striking contrast to the modern Cambridge Layout part of Jogupalya, Murphy Town is a settlement that stays true to its colonial past.

“My grandfather came here with the British army contingent from Vellore,” recalls Sivalingam. “Then, in 1913, Engineer Murphy, who went on to work for Binny Mills, designed this settlement for the Indian servants of the British army.”

LOADED WITH AMENITIES

Famously called ‘a settlement too good for its inhabitants’ by the colonial masters, Murphy Town retains many of its century-old amenities, which residents continue to use.

For starters, there is the Murphy Town market, well known for its meat sales all over east Bangalore. Shops assigned for chicken, mutton, fish and other meats are arranged around a square. A separated section sells beef.

35-year-old Mani has been cutting and selling meat here almost all his life. “I came here to work as a little boy. My parents were factory workers who got quarters in Murphy Town,” he narrates. Visitors to the market can also make use of the reading room set up by the State government in a stone building at the centre of the market.

“The State library is on the other side, occupying a whole floor of a corporation complex in Jogupalya,” says Kokilakshmi, the librarian. “But, many people, even the policemen who come to the grounds nearby, come here to read as the building is spacious, comfortable and well lit.”

OWNERSHIP ISSUES

“From what I remember, there is almost nothing that has changed in this area. Even the drainage system we use today was laid by the British,” Mani adds.

The rentals too stay at what was fixed by the British administration. “Once the country became independent, residents went to Murphy and demanded that they be given ownership of the houses,” Sahayaraj narrates. “Some 37 of them were left without papers and we are stuck, unable to do anything with our houses or sell them.”

But, does he want to sell his house and move out? His answer is an assertive no. “Nobody ever leaves this area. Some have built apartments on their sites and rented them out,” Sahayaraj says, pointing to a freshly painted three-storeyed building beside the row of single-storeyed houses with tiled roofs.

So, why the necessity to own a house when the rental is negligible? Karmegavannan, a political worker in the area, has a political explanation to the question. “They are still considered migrants when they go for services to government or other establishments. People treat them as if they are living on the charity of the government even though they are perhaps older residents of the city than many others,” he explains. “Getting legal documentation for their house strengthens their position.”

Karmegavannan has been living in Murphy Town since his childhood. He remembers visiting Jogupalya village to watch movies in the ‘tent theatre’ there, before Adarsha or Lido cinemas were built. He remembers a time when the Lakshmipuram graveyard was the only feature opposite Murphy Town, where CMH Road is now.

NON-STEREOTYPICAL

“People tend to stereotype the area as having a culture of only temple festivals such as ‘walking on fire’ ceremonies. But, it is actually a beautifully designed area. There are nine squares, with playgrounds in the middle, which are a riot of games in the evenings and on Sundays even today,” he says. “The roads are named after the Mudaliars who were prominent businessmen among the community here.”

“The schools used to be Tamil medium, now they have been converted to Kannada-medium schools,” he points out. One school bears the plaque ‘1913 Elementary School’. A crèche cum primary school also runs nearby. “People who go for construction or domestic work leave their children here,” says Kousalya, a teacher there.

The other school has a dilapidated stone building in the front named ‘the Evelyn Barton Welfare Centre’. Says the principal, M. Muniyappa, “This centre was closed down because the building was considered dangerous.” “Now, the appearance of the building from outside makes a bad impression on parents whose preference to put their children in the numerous English medium schools around gets reinforced.”

source:http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-sty...cle3742125.ece

[engineer.akash]

Originally Posted by Mahesh Nanjunda

Mysore will not be given priority over Bangalore, RWH cannot meet water requirements of 1 crore people.

To feed bangalore from kabini requires lot of money to be pumped in to augment transit capacity.Bangalore will continue to drain cauvery,mysore is slowly moving away from cauvery as a reliable source.

Mysore's dependence will only increase on kabini in the years to come with the infrastructure system already designed for ultimate year demand capacity.

[gentem]

guys come here and vote or post comment supporting bangalore for SSC banner.. bangalore never was on banner, but delhi, mumbai, chennai all have made it

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1535830

[naveen_blr]

Originally Posted by gentem

guys come here and vote or post comment supporting bangalore for SSC banner.. bangalore never was on banner, but delhi, mumbai, chennai all have made it

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1535830

Annavare =>
Voters: 61. This poll is closed

[engineer.akash]

Originally Posted by naveen_blr

Annavare =>
Voters: 61. This poll is closed

oops I voted for key monastery

Bangalore can definitely get a good banner,I am sure we will get them

Few 40 storied buildings on sarjapur road soon...stay tuned.

[gentem]

Originally Posted by naveen_blr

Annavare =>
Voters: 61. This poll is closed

I told vote or comment I also could not vote. but time is there till 14th.

[JhonJ]

Tourist spots to be developed: DC



Out of 2,500 homestays in Kodagu only 252 have been registered

Deputy commissioner Dr N Shivashankar has directed the officials concerned to provide basic facilities like drinking water and toilets at Rajaseat, Honnammanakere, Abbey falls, Mallahalli falls, Irpu falls, Makkala Gudibetta and Nalkunaadu palace.

Speaking at a meeting on development of tourist spots here, he said a meeting will be convened under the presidentship of the regional commissioner to discuss integrated development of the Rajaseat.

He directed the PWD officials to complete the work on Kodava Heritage Centre building. The tourism department officials should make an effort to get the funds released, he said.

He said the officials should look into the work on developing the roads leading to Dubare, Chiklihole and Kanive Ramalingeshwara temple.

Rajaseat Development Committee member Monthi Ganesh said tourist spots like Nehru Mantapa, Railway watch tower, rifle shooting centres should be developed.
Kodagu Wildlife Committee’s Muthanna said there is a need to maintain cleanliness in and around tourist spots.

The DC said public toilets constructed on the Fort premises should be open for public use. The CMC should supply water to the toilets. Nehru Mantapa should also be developed, he said.

Illegal homestay

Homestay Association president Karumbaiah said as many as 252 homestays in Kodagu district have been registered. However, there are over 2,500 homestays in the district.
He said the deputy commissioner should initiate measures to contain the mushrooming of illegal homestays in the district.


The DC in turn has directed tourism department deputy director Shivalingappa to collect complete details on homestays in the district.

The CMC assistant executive engineer said that the CMC has initiated measures to check illegal homestays in the city. Only 36 homestays in the CMC limits are registered, he informed.

PWD executive engineer Dodda Siddaiah, ZP executive engineer Manjunath, RTO Mohammed Habeebulla Khan and others were present.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...eloped-dc.html

[JhonJ]

IT, Steel Cos offer jobs, not joining dates

Avinash (name changed) landed a plum job in a well-known multinational IT firm at the end of last year, when he was studying in his seventh semester at an engineering college in the city. Having bagged a pay package of more than Rs 5 lakh, he was among the select few who got a chance to work for his ‘dream company’.

However, eight months later, even though he has received an offer letter from the IT firm the joining date is yet to be specified. With bachelors of engineering course for the 2008-2012 batch having been completed by July this year, Avinash is not the only one waiting for the joining dates.

Authorities from several colleges, on condition of anonymity, revealed that several BE graduates are yet to receive their joining dates. Several IT firms, who are known for recruiting on a massive scale, have given joining dates for March 2013.

Even a few core companies, which recruit students belonging to mechanical and electrical branches, have extended the date of joining for up to March 2013.

A few others IT and core companies, have failed to provide a particular date of joining, but have indicated that the dates would be released in a couple of months.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, a placement officer disclosed that even though HR managers have refused to acknowledge a slowdown in the markets, the joining dates have been delayed as compared to the previous years.

Also, firms involved in steel and iron ore processing are yet to give the joining dates. The delay is said to be due to controversy surrounding illegal mining, which has taken a hit on the industry.

College sources said that there is no need for BE graduates to be afraid of delay in companies giving the joining dates. Citing an example, an IT firm had provided job offers in 2007, but later went on to issue the joining dates after four years in 2011.
Meanwhile, colleges are expected to open doors for campus recruitments for the 2009-2013 batch of students later this month.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...ffer-jobs.html

[JhonJ]

Mega museum in Halebeedu still a dream

The proposal to build a mega museum for housing invaluable artefacts continues to be a dream at Halebeedu, which is known for its rich historical legacy.

While hundreds of artefacts have been unearthed in Halebeedu, the existing museum is insufficient for housing all the precious artefacts.

Recently, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) deputy superintendent K Murtheshwari visited Halebeedu and mentioned that there is a proposal to build a mega museum. Land has been identified near Kedareshwara Temple for construction of the museum.

The deputy superintendent also reviewed measures taken to record the unearthed artefacts.

With ASI celebration its 150th anniversary, the department is taking measures to ensure that slices of history unearthed near Halebeedu remain intact.

According to sources in ASI, once construction of a bigger museum is completed, then it would turn into a major tourism attraction for the town.

ASI officer P Aravalli pointed out that once the mega museum is completed then repair of broken idols could also be taken up.

He urged locals to provide idols and rare historical sculptures to the department for conservation.

More than 50 idols have been found recently and studies are being undertaken to know more about the history of these findings.

However, sources say that construction of national highways, conversion of agricultural land into sites and using government land for commercial purposes is causing Halebeedu to lose most of its valuable artefacts. Unless effective measures are taken, Halebeedu would be losing part of its history.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...ill-dream.html

[JhonJ]

Zoom in vehicle ownership in a decade in Karnataka



Households with cars in Bangalore almost double, bicycles least favoured in urban areas

The first decade of the 21st century has wrought many changes in the State, markedly prosperity, if one goes by the substantial increase in the number of households that own a vehicle.

In Karnataka, while 37.8 per cent households owned a vehicle in 2001, 50.1 per cent possessed vehicles in 2011. In Bangalore Urban district, the numbers rose from 71.8 per cent to 84.7 per cent during this period.

On the other hand, the number of households owning a bicycle, the common man’s transport, has dropped, but only in Bangalore Urban, from 29.8 per cent to 22.9 even as the numbers increased in every other district in the State.

The number of households owning four-wheelers has almost doubled, from 9.2 per cent to 17.5 per cent and that of two-wheelers from 32.8 per cent to 44.3 per cent in Bangalore.

This sharp rise appears more in urban areas in the State, where the share of households owning bicycles has come down from 34.4 per cent in 2001 to 30 per cent in 2011. In rural areas, the numbers increased from 27.8 per cent to 36.5 per cent.

Interestingly, households in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Yadgir, which did not patronise bicycles to a large extent in 2001 (10.5 p.c., 8.3 p.c. and 7.4 p.c. respectively), improved their share by 2011 and the percentage reached 16.4, 14.5 and 18.7 respectively. While bicycles were most favoured in Belgaum district in 2001 (47.3 per cent), it went up to 53.9 per cent in 2011. Mandya district joined the list in 2011 with 45.1 households owning bicycles. Except Bangalore Urban district, less than 20 per cent households in all other districts owned two-wheelers in 2001. The situation however improved in a decade with households in 15 other districts joining this list with Bangalore on the top of the list (44.3 per cent), followed by Bangalore Rural and Mysore districts (30.7 per cent each) and Shimoga (27.7 per cent).

Bangalore Urban and Kodagu were the only ones where more than 7.51 p.c. households owned four-wheelers in 2001. Economically prosperous Dakshina Kannada and Udupi joined this list in 2011.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/...cle3747167.ece

[JhonJ]

Court seeks status report on illegal industries around T.G. Halli reservoir



The catchment areas around T.G. Halli reservoir were classified into separate zones in 2003 to prevent certain kinds of industries around it from polluting the water

Warns Pollution Board of action if it continues to sit on its hands

Expressing displeasure over the non-closure of 24 industries operating illegally in the banned zones around the Tippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) reservoir, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday sought a status report within a month from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

The court warned that it would take action against the KSPCB if it failed to initiate action against these industrial units which are operating despite being issued closure order way back in April 2010.

The court was not satisfied with KSPCB’s reply that it had written to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) to stop power supply to these units.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikaramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by Texport Industries Ltd. challenging the closure.

Observing that the interests of the environment take precedence over all other preference or interests, including economy and labour, the Division Bench declined the unit’s plea seeking two years to vacate the factory premises.

The unit, located at No. 6, Makali village, Dasanapura Hobli, falls in Zone 3, which permits only agricultural activities. The catchment areas around the T.G. Halli reservoir, from where drinking water is supplied to some parts of the city, were classified into separate zones in 2003 to prevent certain kinds of industries around it from polluting the water.

Many of these 24 industrial units were established after the classification of zones.

Meanwhile, the Texport Industries director Arun Goenka, who was present, was asked to swear to an affidavit in the court hall itself undertaking to vacate the premises on or before July 26, 2013.

The Bench also directed him to ensure that the effluents like human excreta and from washing of employees’ lunch boxes, utensils and so on should be transported to the plants of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board for disposal.

During the hearing, Government Counsel Ravindra G. Kolle pointed out that the High Court has already upheld closure orders issued to many firms, including Pan Parag India Ltd. and Maa Sharda Tobacco Pvt. Ltd., etc.

Meanwhile, the Bench noticed from the list of industries located in the Zone-3 produced by the KSPCB that about 24 industrial units are operating in the Makali area despite closure orders.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle3749484.ece

[engineer.akash]

look for such angles

image hosted on flickr


http://www.flickr.com/photos/myhsu/6...n/photostream/

[engineer.akash]

image hosted on flickr


http://www.flickr.com/photos/cblue98...n/photostream/

[Licit Mortal]

Originally Posted by JhonJ

Pak swelling nuclear arsenal to counter India, says US report



Primarily aimed at India, Pakistan is making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal and "could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons," a Congressional report has said.



source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...l-counter.html

I do not understand why this post is in Bangalore discussions thread. Am I missing something here?

[Licit Mortal]

Originally Posted by gentem

guys come here and vote or post comment supporting bangalore for SSC banner.. bangalore never was on banner, but delhi, mumbai, chennai all have made it

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1535830

I don't think Bangalore banner is going to win this time.