Good morning, Bengaluru!
☀️ Today’s weather: Clear skies and a gentle breeze.
🧐 Did you know? On 30 November 2005, Mumtaz Begum became Bengaluru’s first Muslim mayor. Her words after thanking God had garnered fame back in the day, “I am on service 24 hours.” Mumtaz was a finalist for the World Mayor title in 2006.
🌕 Chandrayaan-3 competition
As part of its global outreach programme, ISRO will host a video competition for students across the world.
Story so far: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is partnering with Moon Village Association (MVA), a Vienna-based NGO, to organise global outreach activities for the approaching Chandrayaan-3 mission. It includes a video competition on the theme ‘Importance of Chandrayaan-3 Mission for India and the Global Moon Exploration & Settlement.’
- Students from across the globe are invited to make submissions. Assessments will be divided into two categories – from ages 13 to 17 years and ages 18 to 21 years.
- The last day for submissions is May 31, 23:59 Central European Summer Time (CEST). There will be three winners who will receive exciting prizes and mementoes along with a certificate.
Why it matters? The space agency’s outreach is focused on advancing the impact of ISRO’s lunar programme and cultivating international partnerships. It’ll also encourage the youth to grasp the joint benefits the world reaps through every lunar mission.
🐒 Monkey business
The BBMP and forest department find it challenging to relocate monkeys who wander the city’s residential areas.
Story so far: Monkeys continue their gallivanting in the city’s residential areas, despite the high court’s orders to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and the forest department to find solutions for the monkey trouble.
- The Palike had responded by introducing a new helpline and SOP to resettle the monkeys elsewhere. But these measures haven’t been effective as they return even after being relocated.
- The first department officials said that relocation is a time-taking process. They have to employ trained rescuers and find habitats for the monkeys’ resettlement.
Official advice: The BBMP advised residents to act responsibly until the menace is taken care of. It includes maintaining cleanliness and avoiding feeding the primates or playing with them.
📲 A mental health app in-the-making
NIMHANS is developing a mental health app for relapse prevention among patients diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.
Story so far: Addiction psychiatrists at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) are analysing the efficiency of a smartphone-based application developed to prevent patients of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome from relapsing. The app ‘Quest’ was pilot-tested on 30 patients for three months.
- The study was published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry. It saw high acceptability and usability.
- Quest has two modules. ‘Learn’ offers information on the ramifications of drinking and treatment options. ‘My Quest’ includes five sections titled Daily Diary, Reflect and Plan, Goal-setting, To-do list, and Activities.
Why it matters? If successful, it’ll be the first such app in India. Currently, there are apps in India that help curb drinking, but they don’t help those diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. One in five of the 160 million alcohol drinkers in India requires help.
🍉 Keeping cool this summer
Summer brings heat-related illnesses that one can avoid by following a season-specific lifestyle and diet.
What it’s about? Yesterday, we wrote about the soaring temperature in the city. Rising mercury levels bring with them risks of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke. That’s why health experts emphasise finding ways to ‘keep cool’ in the summer.
- Staying indoors during the hottest part of the day, usually between 10 am and 4 pm, is recommended.
- Keeping oneself hydrated, adorning clothes that allow circulation, and applying sunscreen are a few easy yet essential measures.
Eat right: Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with minerals that’ll keep your body healthy. Water-rich fruits like watermelons, grapes, tomatoes and vegetables like cucumbers are great too. Get your healthy dose of probiotics from yoghurt and keep that digestive system running as it should.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Meet someone cool at Speed Dating Bangalore’s social mixer.
- Create a unique experience with ‘A Lullaby To Wake Up’ at Shoonya.
- Sing along with the KishanBaalaji’s tribute to Iron Maiden on Saturday.
- ‘Draupathi’ is a poetic Tamil play about one of the strongest characters in the Mahabharata.
- Explore Bengaluru’s underground at ‘Nightclub Comedians’ with comics who only get to perform in nightclubs.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I prefer Android: 72.2% 🏆
- I prefer iOS: 27.8%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite summer drink?
Sriranga: “The good old Elneeru. PS. I recommend readers to eat a fruit called ‘Taatiningu’, it’s available everywhere. It’s similar to the ganji we find in Elneeru, and it’s really sweet.”
Rahul: “Mom’s chilled and hand-pressed Mosambi juice”
Manoj: “Tender coconut water”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!