Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? The Karnataka Public Works Department employed prisoners to construct the Vidhan Soudha who were later reimbursed.
🧑🏽⚖️ Justice Srishananda apologises
Justice V Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court expressed regret over his remarks during judicial proceedings that referred to Gori Palya, a Muslim-majority area, as “Pakistan”.
What’s it about? The comments went viral, prompting the Supreme Court to take notice and request a report from the Karnataka High Court Registrar General. Justice Srishananda has clarified that his observations were unintentional and taken out of context on social media.
- This incident drew attention on September 20 when a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, took serious note of the viral videos showing the judge’s comments.
- Justice Srishananda addressed the issue in open court, explaining that his comments were not intended to offend anyone.
YouTubers criticised: Members of the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru (AAB), present during the apology session, have voiced concerns that some YouTubers were posting court clips with misleading titles, exacerbating the situation.
🐶 Chips for dogs
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a pilot project to implant microchips in stray dogs in Bengaluru’s Mattikere and Malleswaram areas for better population and health management.
What’s it about? The chips, which are the size of a grain of rice, offer a permanent, non-invasive solution to issues like duplicate vaccinations, replacing the current temporary colour-coding system that fades over time.
- This initiative, led by Special Commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishore, aims to track stray dogs’ location, vaccination, and sterilisation details using microchips.
- If successful, the initiative, conducted in partnership with local firm BIZ ORBIT, could be expanded citywide.
No adverse effect: BBMP officials emphasise that this technology will improve both public health and animal welfare by ensuring accurate data tracking and reducing unnecessary vaccinations. The microchips are designed to last a lifetime without causing harm to the animals.
🌆 Sister San Francisco
The state government has proposed a sister city corridor between Bengaluru and San Francisco to enhance collaboration in innovation, entrepreneurship, and trade.
What’s it about? The proposal aims to facilitate access to U.S. markets for Karnataka’s emerging businesses and develop skill corridors in sectors like fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in partnership with Austin.
- The initiative was discussed by Karnataka’s Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, and Information Technology, Priyank Kharge, during a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti.
- Kharge has emphasised upon the initiative’s goal of boosting economic, business, and technological investments, while also fostering cultural exchanges in commerce, health, education, and technology.
Support for consulate: Ambassador Garcetti has expressed support for a U.S. consulate in the city, noting that Karnataka is now the world’s fourth-largest technology hub and Bengaluru ranks fifth globally in AI development. He highlighted the strong technological connections between the U.S. and Karnataka, with the state being a leader in skill development and AI capabilities.
🛣️ 14-lane highway
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a transformative 14-lane highway project linking Bengaluru, Pune, and Sambhajinagar, aimed at boosting travel efficiency and regional growth.
What’s it about? The highway will begin after Mumbai’s Atal Setu, featuring a direct route to Bengaluru via a ring road. Construction is set to start within six months, potentially reducing Mumbai-Pune Expressway traffic by 50%.
- The project also aligns with sustainable road construction efforts, repurposing eight million tonnes of waste for building.
- Gadkari has also emphasised the highway’s role in enhancing connectivity, fostering economic development, and supporting rural communities.
Visvesvaraya remembered: While making the announcement, Gadkari also honoured engineer Sir M Visvesvaraya and stressed that strong leadership and funding can accelerate infrastructure development, benefiting cities like Bengaluru.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been to Gori Palya?
- I have been to Gori Palya.
- I have not been to Gori Palya.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s the best thing to do when a stray dog starts chasing you?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In Other News…
- The Bengaluru-Guwahati Express was delayed as the train started emitting unexpected smoke.
- The Chief Minister will be launching the KHIR city project on September 26.
- Companies along the ORR have been urged by the Traffic Police to be consistent in their vehicular footfall data sharing.
- The Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association has urged the Centre to lower fuel prices.
- 16, 355 land-related cases are currently lying unresolved in the city due to administrative delays.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!