Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: It’s going to be cloudy with short spells of rain.
🧐 Did you know? Rahul Dravid’s son Samit has been selected to play for the Karnataka under-19 squad in the upcoming 2023 Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
☕ World Coffee Conference 2023
Bengaluru is hosting the fifth World Coffee Conference from September 25 to 28.
What’s it about? The conference, taking place at the iconic Bangalore Palace, is the first of its kind to be held in an Asian coffee-producing country. It aims to be a global gathering for coffee enthusiasts, industry leaders, experts, and aficionados. The event will cover various aspects of the coffee industry, from bean to cup, and will feature B2B exhibitions, skill-building workshops, a Global CEO conclave, and networking activities.
- Over 2,400 delegates, 117 speakers, 208 exhibitors, and more than 10,000 visitors from over 80 countries are expected to attend.
- The theme of the event is “Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture.”
Exports: India, being the seventh-largest coffee producer and fifth-largest exporter, mainly exports to European countries like Italy and Germany, as well as Russia. Karnataka contributes to around 70% of the country’s coffee production.
Novelty: A unique feature of the event is a dome-shaped structure that will serve as a Coffee Museum and showcase the Western Ghats coffee plantation, emphasizing the shade-grown coffees of India.
🏢 Samsung’s Opera House turns 5
Samsung celebrated the fifth anniversary of the opening of its Opera House in Bengaluru, the world’s largest Samsung technology experience centre.
What’s it about? Located in the heart of the city, the iconic Opera House underwent a two-year refurbishment by Samsung to transform the British-era theatre into a state-of-the-art technology and entertainment centre. The 33,000-square-foot heritage building features a Gaming Arena, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) demo area named Connected Living, and a 70-seater Starbucks cafe. Since its inception, the Opera House has hosted global hardware showcases, musical events, and entertainment shows.
- The anniversary event attracted over 5,000 fans and highlighted Samsung’s Korean culture, including entertainment and culinary traditions.
- Activities included a K-Pop culture trivia quiz, dance and voice battles, a Korean movie screening, and a showcase of South Korean food traditions.
A showcasing powerhouse: Since its inception, the Opera House has hosted global hardware showcases, musical events, and entertainment shows. Sumit Walia, Senior Director at Samsung India, expressed pride in the Opera House’s journey, emphasizing its role as a hub of technology, innovation, art, and culture in Bengaluru.
🏘️ 3BHKs surge in popularity
The demand for 3BHK accommodations in Bengaluru has seen a significant rise, with 51% of homebuyers preferring them, as per a study by property consultant Anarock.
What’s it about? The study, which covered the first half of 2023 across seven cities, revealed that Bengaluru leads in the preference for 3BHKs, followed by Chennai (50%) and Delhi (47%). Two primary factors driving this trend are the post-pandemic shift towards spacious homes suitable for flexible and hybrid work arrangements and the increasing affordability of such accommodations.
- Major builders like Prestige, Mantri, and Sattva are focusing on constructing three-bedroom accommodations due to higher revenue potential compared to two-bedroom houses.
- The demand for 3BHKs is also influenced by the desire of nuclear families, especially those with two children, for a three-bedroom house.
Word from the industry: Venkat K Narayana, CEO of Prestige Group, highlighted Bengaluru’s unique combination of opportunities, lifestyle, and urban appeal as reasons for the city’s dominance in 3BHK demand.
🪖 Stinky helmets
Many bike-taxi users in Bengaluru are reluctant to book rides due to the foul-smelling helmets provided by the service providers.
What’s it about? Bike-taxis, once a popular choice for Bengalureans to navigate the city’s traffic, are now facing a decline in patronage. The primary reason is the stench from the helmets that come with the two-wheelers. Some customers prefer to cancel their rides rather than wear these helmets.
- Riders are often left with no choice but to cancel the trip if the customer refuses to wear the helmet, as they could face fines for non-compliance.
- Some riders have devised solutions like exchanging helmets for fresh ones at local stores or offering plastic hair masks to customers.
Health risk: The repeated use of the same helmet by multiple users can lead to bacterial and fungal infections, resulting in hair fall. Dr Ruby Sachdev, a consultant-aesthetic physician, highlighted the risks of sharing helmets, including the potential transfer of lice and other infections from one user to another.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Which Rahul do you like – Rahul Dravid or KL Rahul?
- I like Rahul Dravid.
- I like KL Rahul.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which is your favourite board game?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A peaceful bungalow in the city magically silences its surroundings.
- Bengaluru police are taking the lead in ensuring gig workers’ safety.
- Birla Estates announces the launch of Birla Trimaya Phase 1.
- Conçu debuts, elevating Bengaluru’s café culture.
- Comedian Rahul Subramanian is bringing his act to Bengaluru this weekend.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I like the monsoon season in Bengaluru: 44.4%
- I like the winter season in Bengaluru: 55.6% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which brand of ice creams do you usually consume?
Sriranga: “Naturals”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!