Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? The BBMP has a total of 243 wards.
🌆 Electronics City renaming
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that Bengaluru’s Electronics City will be renamed after former Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs.
What’s it about? This decision comes on the occasion of Urs’ 109th birth anniversary. The foundation stone for Electronics City was laid by Devaraj Urs himself in 1978.
- Siddaramaiah praised Devaraj Urs for his efforts in uplifting the underprivileged and for renaming the state as Karnataka in 1973.
- The Chief Minister also announced the upcoming conclusion of the year-long celebration of Karnataka’s renaming with the unveiling of a statue of Kannada Bhuvaneshwari at Vidhana Soudha.
Urs’ role: The Electronics City project was the brainchild of RK Baliga, the first chairman of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Keonics). Baliga envisioned Bengaluru as the “Silicon Valley of India,” and Urs supported his vision by appointing him as the head of Keonics.
🚇 Metro PEStillence
PES University has raised concerns over the proposed location of the Hosakerehalli Metro station, which is part of Phase 3 of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) expansion project.
What’s it about? The university fears that the station’s construction will disrupt campus operations and lead to severe traffic congestion. The proposed station site is at a crucial entry and exit point of the campus, which sees around 30,000 people moving daily.
- The university suggests that the closure of the main gate during construction could lead to traffic chaos on the already busy Outer Ring Road.
- The university has also pointed out that the proposed location is near a BMTC bus stop, two schools, and the NICE Link Road, which could further worsen traffic conditions.
Relocation not an option: PES University has requested the BMRCL to consider relocating the station to an unused government-owned land nearby. However, the BMRCL has stated that the station’s location cannot be changed but has offered to modify the station’s design.
💰 ₹200 crore Taiwanese investment
Taiwan’s Bestec Group has announced plans to establish a manufacturing unit near Bengaluru with an investment of ₹200 crore.
What’s it about? The announcement was made by Karnataka’s Industries Minister MB Patil following his meeting with Bestec Group’s chairman, Mike Chen, and vice-chairman, Teresa Dong. The proposed facility is expected to significantly contribute to the local economy by creating 5,000 jobs over the next three years.
- Bestec Group is a renowned manufacturer of electronic components, specialising in adapters, C-pins, electric vehicle (EV) and laptop chargers, and cables.
- The company aims to leverage its new facility in Karnataka to enhance its production capacity and expand its market presence.
Government support assured: Minister MB Patil has assured the Bestec leadership that the Karnataka government is committed to providing full support to facilitate the successful implementation of the project. This support is expected to include assistance with the acquisition of land, infrastructure development, and the provision of necessary utilities and resources to ensure smooth operations.
🧑🏽💻 Rural cybercrimes up >1000%
Cybercrime cases in the Bengaluru Rural district have surged by over 1,000 per cent from 2020 to 2023.
What’s it about? The number of cases registered at the dedicated Cybercrime, Economic Offences, and Narcotics (CEN) crime station increased from 39 in 2020 to 484 in 2023, a staggering 1,141 per cent rise. In 2021, 70 cases were reported, 227 in 2022, and 151 cases were recorded by April 2024.
- The increase is attributed to the growing penetration of the internet and digital technologies in semi-urban areas.
- The district has reported the highest number of cybercrime cases among districts in 2023, second only to Bengaluru City.
Attribution: According to Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police CK Baba, the widespread use of social media and digital payments has made more people vulnerable to online threats such as identity theft and financial fraud.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Should BMRCL be making more underground stations?
- BMRCL should be making more underground stations.
- BMRCL should not be making more underground stations.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What do you do with the USB cables of devices you no longer use?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The BBMP has cut 250 trees and pruned 756 branches in the month of August.
- The Adugodi Police has registered an FIR against the rape survivor in Sunday’s ‘lift’ case for driving rashly in an inebriated state.
- City’s key legal institutions will be coming together for a three-day event on Alternative Dispute Resolutions from August 24.
- 13 special train services will run between Bengaluru and Kochuveli to clear the festive rush.
- Priyank Kharge has announced that the government will be supporting SMEs in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sectors to make Bengaluru a gaming and animation leader.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- Rameshwaram Cafe is overhyped: 89.5% 🏆
- Rameshwaram Cafe is not overhyped: 10.5%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What can be some humane ways to get rid of rats?
Deeksha: “Rats tend to stay away from light and from few fragrance (such as Eucalyptus oil). This may not be that effective and needs constant restoration.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!