Good morning, Bengaluru!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny skies and some breeze in store.
🧐 Did you know? Mr Shanbag’s Shop Film is a short film based on the city’s revered Premier Bookshop owner, TS Shanbhag. It features a cameo of the late Shanbhag meeting the owner of Koshy’s Parade Café.
🩸 Diagnostic kit for Sickle cell anaemia
A Bengaluru-based startup helps diagnose a dangerous genetic blood disease.
Story so far: ShanMukha Innovations has created SickleCert, India’s first indigenous diagnostic kit for Sickle cell anaemia (SCA). ShanMukha is a startup incubated by the Society for Innovation and Development at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). In November 2022, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation approved its manufacturing license.
- SickleCert provides highly accurate results in 15 minutes, with only a tiny amount of blood from a finger prick. More than 40 samples can be tested in an hour.
- In February 2023, the startup organised multi-centric field studies across tribal districts in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The tests yielded an accuracy measure of 97.6%.
Why it matters? SCA is a genetic blood disorder caused by a defective Haemoglobin S gene. It turns flexible red blood cells into stiff sickle-shaped cells. This blocks blood flow and increases the chances of organ damage. The disease found mention in the 2023 budget when FM Sitharaman announced the government’s resolve to eliminate the condition by 2047.
- India has the second-highest count of people born with SCA. SCA is more common in tribal communities than in non-tribal ones.
🌳 Trading trees for rails
TEC ordered the clearing of several trees with insufficient emphasis on replacement.
Story so far: The Tree Expert Committee’s (TEC) latest report reveals that 1,307 trees located on the stretch between Baiyapannahalli and Lottegollahalli railway stations will either be felled or translocated to make way for the Suburban Rail Project’s second corridor.
- 1,234 trees will face the axe, and 73 trees will be translocated. As per a court order, ten healthy and heightened saplings should replace each tree removed.
- The saplings will be maintained for at least three years.
Any reactions? Experts believe that while the TEC was formed to mitigate the impact of urban infrastructure projects on Bengaluru’s green cover, the committee has been lollygagging. Concerned citizens are sceptical about the felled trees’ compensatory replacement.
🧹 Pourakarmikas call off protest
With the Karnataka government’s assurances, civic workers call off their protest.
Story so far: On Tuesday, the BBMP pourakarmikas, or civic workers, called off their strike. The move was preceded by assurances from Jayaram Raipura, BBMP Special Commissioner for Finance, to dig into their demands and grant them permanent employment status shortly.
- Raipura revealed that the demand to make pourakarmikas permanent is before the Chief Minister. The CMO will approve it within two days, and the procedure will be complete within two weeks.
- Besides regularisation, the pourakarmikas have also sought dignified working conditions. In the meanwhile, the current recruitment process will be on hold.
Why it matters? The BBMP Pourakramikara Sangha members were protesting to demand permanent employment for pourakarmikas, as per a written promise by the CM last year. Indeed, the demand was met, but only for a small portion of the workers. While there are 16,000 pourakarmikas, an official notification addressed only 3,673 workers.
- If the government fails to keep its word again, the civic workers have resolved to continue their protest.
📱 ‘Stop Tobacco’ app
A new app will help authorities reduce public cigarette smoking.
Story so far: The Karnataka Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) launched a GPS-based mobile application called ‘Stop Tobacco’ on Tuesday. Stop Tobacco aims to protect non-smokers from passive smoke in public places.
- Anyone perturbed by a public smoker can take their picture and upload it on the app. The TCC squad will rush to the area to charge the person with a fine.
- The cell is currently focused on regulating cigarette shop owners who allow people to smoke near their shops. According to the authorities, since reaching smokers in time might prove difficult, fining shop owners would be a reasonable solution.
Why it matters? In Karnataka, out of 22.8% of adults who use tobacco products, 8.8% are smokers, and 16.3% use other tobacco products. Generally, tobacco usage begins at a young age. On a positive note, 21 villages in the state are tobacco-free.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you like anime?
- Yes, I like watching anime.
- No, I don’t watch anime.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Residents complain as the children’s play area in JP Nagar remains in disrepair.
- Here is a piece about the BMLTA’s lack of participatory planning.
- Driven by a passion for archaeology, a BMTC driver finds a 10th-century inscription.
- Four years after shifting 150 tenants, the BBMP is still collecting rent.
- Bescom sees the highest peak demand in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area Zone (BMAZ) jurisdiction on February 23.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I like meditating: 66.7% 🏆
- I don’t like meditating: 33.3%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!