Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 28 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? ‘Bangalored’ is American slang for losing your job to South Asian outsourcing.
🗣️ Kannada coaching for Malayalis
The Karnataka government is set to launch a Kannada learning program for Malayalis living in Bengaluru, organised by the Kannada Development Authority (KDA).
What’s it about? The initiative aims to help the significant Malayali population in Bengaluru, many of whom moved to the city for education, employment, and business opportunities, to learn the local language.
- Speaker UT Khader will inaugurate the event today, and KDA plans to establish 20 Kannada learning centres across Bengaluru.
- These centres will begin regular sessions in the second week of August, and interested individuals can register at KDA centres.
Following CM’s comment: Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had emphasised the importance of learning Kannada for those residing in the state. He had highlighted the generosity of Kannadigas and urged the creation of a Kannada-speaking environment.
🚸 ‘Children’s money’ stolen
Four staff members at Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park have been accused of diverting ₹3,50,964 meant for the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC).
What’s it about? The alleged misappropriation occurred between December 2022 and April 2024. The employees involved were Abdul Wajid, Venkatesh K, Ramachandra K, and K Kodandaramu, who were stationed at the Mayura Bal Bhavan kiosk.
- They reportedly redirected payments meant for KSTDC to their personal accounts.
- Tourism Minister HK Patil confirmed that the two permanent employees have been suspended pending a departmental inquiry.
Per-capita theft: Abdul Wajid, a contract driver, is accused of diverting ₹2,66,215. Ramachandra, a contract second division clerk, allegedly rerouted ₹31,917. Permanent employees Venkatesh and Kodandaramu reportedly diverted ₹48,642 and ₹3,920, respectively.
✈️ New Bengaluru-Abu Dhabi flight
Air India Express has inaugurated its first international flight service from Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi.
What’s it about? This new route will operate four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The flights will depart Bengaluru at 3:25 pm and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 6:00 pm.
- Return flights will leave Abu Dhabi at 6:55 pm, arriving in Bengaluru at 12:40 am on the same days.
- This development designates Bengaluru as Air India Express’s largest operational hub, with the airline managing over 200 weekly flights from the city.
All services: The airline’s expanded network from Bengaluru now includes 27 destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Ranchi, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam.
🦟 150 dengue cases/day
Bengaluru is currently experiencing a significant rise in dengue cases, with an average of around 150 new cases reported daily.
What’s it about? The city has recorded a total of 3,304 dengue cases from July 1 to July 22. In response, Tushar Giri Nath has instructed zonal officials to implement stringent measures to control the spread of the viral disease.
- Zonal officials have been directed to increase fogging and pesticide spraying activities to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
- Senior officials are to visit hospitals regularly to monitor dengue cases and ensure compliance with government-regulated rates for dengue test kits.
Reel competition: To raise public awareness about dengue prevention, the BBMP has launched a contest offering cash incentives for the top ten entries. Students are encouraged to create reels based on the vector-borne disease.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Can you hold a conversation in Kannada?
- I can hold a conversation in Kannada.
- I cannot hold a conversation in Kannada.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which places are good alternatives for Cubbon Park?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Special trains will operate between Bengaluru and Karwar on July 26 and 28 due to passenger demands.
- Funding for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project has been trimmed by ₹100 crores in the Union Budget.
- The city Police Commissioner has warned cops to not make reels when in uniform.
- An IISc Bengaluru team has been ordered by the Kerala HC to audit Kochi’s crumbling army towers.
- A fruit vendor was arrested for stealing bikes in Girinagar to fund a kind customer’s wife’s breast cancer treatment.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I usually work up to 10-12 hours a day: 55.6% 🏆
- I don’t usually work up to 10-12 hours a day: 44.4%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!