Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌦️ Today’s weather: Rainy and breezy.
🧐 Did you know? Recently, Bangalore University became Karnataka’s first university to receive A++ accreditation. The university, however, is absent from the NIRF’s top 100 rankings.
📚 A silent reading community
Cubbon Reads, a silent reading community, has gained much popularity among Bengalureans.
Origin story: On Saturday, about 500 people congregated at Cubbon Park to read, equipped with mats, bottles, pens, foldable chairs, and books. There was a time when it used to be just Shruti Sah and Harsh Snehanshu. Children and seniors alike gather regularly to read books for academic purposes and leisure.
- Silence is key for Sah and Snehanshu because they believe more people will come if they are relieved of any obligation towards other performative tasks.
- By their 19th meeting, Cubbon Reads had 37 people in its fold. After two viral reels on Instagram, their numbers soared.
Why it matters? Cubbon Reads is an initiative to make reading a visible act. It will help generate interest in the act, develop reading habits, and help people complete the books they’re reading.
🎵 Huyana’s new single
Bengaluru-based musician Huyana has released a new single called Anxious Attachment.
About Huyana’s music: If you’ve ever dated someone with an avoidant attachment style, singer Varshita Ramesh, aka Huyana, has a new single for you. Can’t Fall/Won’t Fall is about being in a relationship with someone who takes more than they give. The song, part of her debut EP ‘Anxious Attachment’, was released on all platforms on June 9.
- ‘Anxious Attachment’ will release in July. Like Can’t Fall/Won’t Fall, the other songs in the EP will have influences from R&B/Soul music.
- The songs centre around loving someone who is drifting away. All of Huyana’s songs prioritise relationships, with the exception of ‘Nothing Wrong In Not Being Okay.’
The singer speaks: Huyana has been singing since she was four years old. That’s when her parents discovered her ability to hold a note. Her family includes many classical singers and dancers, who were very supportive. She has also worked with Ricky Kej, the three-time Grammy Award winner.
🥘 New Indira Canteens soon
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that Bengaluru will have 250 Indira Canteens soon.
New rules: On Monday, CM Siddaramaiah asked the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials to start operations in at least 250 Indira canteens, one in each ward. Earlier, while the BBMP bore 70% of the cost and the government 30%, they will now split the costs evenly.
- The canteens will serve North Karnataka’s local cuisine. While the canteen menu will be revamped, consumer rates won’t budge.
- Siddaramaiah has asked the officials to submit proposals to install new Indira canteens at public places like universities, bus stands, and parks. Officials were also asked for location ideas outside Bengaluru.
Maintenance check: Siddaramaiah directed the Palike to maintain the quality and availability of food at the canteens. Apart from regular repairs, inviting ministers and legislators for lunch at Indira Canteens could also be a way to keep food quality and maintenance in check.
🌳 And they all fall down
Over 3,600 trees were reportedly cut between 2021 and 2023 in Bengaluru.
Story so far: A recent BBMP report shows that carrying out the Namma Metro rail project involved chopping down around 3,600 trees. Of them, 3,626 trees were felled for the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Phase-2, Phase-2A, and Phase-2B projects. After being cut, some trees were translocated in the city.
- Between 2021 and 2022, 2,461 trees were axed, and 856 trees shifted to other parts of the city.
- Between 2022 and 2023, 1165 trees were cut and 107 shifted.
More to go: On June 9, the Karnataka High Court permitted the BMRCL to cut 203 trees from Dooravaninagar to Kempapura Cross to construct elevated structures as part of the airport metro line. Once underway, 45 trees will be transplanted and 14 will remain as they are.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you like fiction or non-fiction books more?
- I like fiction books.
- I like non-fiction more.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite outdoor activity?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Evening showers leave East Bengaluru waterlogged.
- BBMP Restructuring Committee reconvened to ‘reimagine Bengaluru’s governance and administration’.
- A shocking surge in electricity tariff leaves people in Bengaluru reeling.
- The positive response to Radha Searching Ramana Missing has pleased its producers.
- The Karnataka government will build tunnels and flyovers to ease out Bengaluru traffic.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I would like to open a food truck: 44.4%
- I wouldn’t want to open a food truck: 55.6% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which OTT platforms do you use the most?
Sriranga: “Amazon Prime Video”
Datta: “Netflix, Primevideo, Hotstar, Zee5”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!