Good morning, Bengaluru!
☁️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Mostly cloudy for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The city’s Bugle Rock gets its name from a daily ritual, where a sentry guard would shine a torch that could be seen from the other four towers and blow a bugle.
🌱 Reforestation efforts
SayTrees works to ensure Bengaluru and other cities don’t lose their green cover.
What’s it about? By the time Kapil Sharma graduated, moved to Bengaluru to pursue engineering and found a job as a software engineer in 2006, the city’s landscape had changed drastically. Its lush green cover was disappearing due to rapid urbanisation. A sense of urgency and responsibility led his life to environmental activism and founding SayTrees.
- The initial steps were small, beginning in his Vijayanagar neighbourhood. That evolved into planting 100 saplings near Outer Ring Road and then 1,000 in a year. He used social media to spread awareness and attract volunteers.
- By 2015, the organisation was being recognised by prominent environmental forums. It was even invited to the World Forestry Congress in South Africa, a significant milestone.
Next steps: Despite the challenges in convincing people that the city’s green cover is vital for its survival, the organisation wants to have a big impact on green cover and water conservation by 2030.
🛺 Unique way to learn Kannada
The Bengaluru police launched a new initiative by distributing phrase cards to auto drivers.
What’s it about? To foster Kannada language usage, the Bengaluru police launched a new initiative by distributing cards with Kannada phrases to auto drivers. They were launched as part of Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations. It’s voluntary for auto drivers, and the Police Department covers the costs.
- The laminated cards have essential Kannada phrases with English translations to help drivers better communicate with passengers. More cards will be distributed throughout the month.
- Each card also has a QR code that links to a video with accurate pronunciations and phrases for passengers and drivers to see and hear.
Inspiration: The concept was inspired by an auto driver named Ajmal Sultan. His efforts went viral on social media and inspired the #LearnKannada messages on 5,000 autos in the city.
🚖 Cab scam
Commuters in the city claimed to have unearthed a scam where cab operators charge higher amounts for trips to the airport.
What’s it about? Multiple people on social media have accused companies like Rapido, Ola, and Uber of charging fares above the expected rates to the airport.
- One user recounted an experience where they were asked to pay for fuel. Despite taking shortcuts to avoid the toll, the passenger still had to pay above the effective rate.
- Some drivers take longer routes to the airport, so they can charge a higher price. One user commented about a driver taking an extra 20 km from Whitefield to the airport.
Targeting women: The user who originally flagged the scam by cab drivers cautioned women while taking aggregators like Ola or Uber.
😞 Director’s death
Renowned Kannada director Guruprasad was found dead in a residential apartment complex.
What happened? The movie director, aged 52, was found dead in a residential apartment complex in Madhanayakanahalli. His body was decomposed and found hanging from the ceiling of the apartment.
- The police suspect he must’ve taken his own life as he was facing financial issues. In January last year, he was arrested in a cheque bounce case.
- After one of his recent movies flopped, he’s said to have faced financial difficulties. His neighbours sensed a foul smell from his flat and informed the police.
His work: Guruprasad has directed five movies, including actor Jaggesh’s ‘Mata’. He also participated in the Kannada edition of Big Boss.
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🗞️ In Other News…
- A city consumer court fined a matrimonial site ₹60,000 for not finding a potential bride for a man.
- The Indian Institute of Science will undertake a hydrological study at Moolehole in Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
- A “no Hindi exam” campaign was undertaken in the city by Namma Nadu Namma Alvike.
- A resident’s car attack by a mob went viral on social media, angering users over the city’s increased lawlessness.
- DIY festive decor has become popular among Bengaluru residents.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!