Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Generally cloudy day with one or two spells of rain.
🧐 Did you know? The Bannerghatta National Park is the country’s first biological park.
♿ Expanding inclusivity
The India Inclusion Summit was recently held in the city with discussions on disabilities.
What’s it about? The 11th edition of the India Inclusion Summit brought leaders, speakers, and innovators in the field of disability rights for discussions on how persons with disabilities should be included in the conversations on diversity.
- Former cabinet minister Arun Shourie stressed the need to change the narrative on disability. Technologist VR Ferose, who founded the India Inclusion Foundation said we need to celebrate people for who they are.
- Psychiatrist and Padma Shri awardee Dr Agashe stated how education with just reading and writing has become exclusionary. For parent and caregiver Siddharth Dutta, the event was motivating and helped increase awareness of people with disabilities.
Hosts: In keeping with the event’s theme, the hosts were 12-year-old Keya Hatkar, who has a rare genetic disorder of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and 11-year-old Prathamesh Sinha, who is visually impaired.
🗳️ New voter registration
The BBMP has registered relatively few new voters in the city.
What’s it about? The state capital usually sees lakhs of new graduates every year. However, so far, only 15,000 new voters have been registered in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) since the Election Commission’s August notification on registering new voters.
- While the Bengaluru graduate constituency polls will happen in June 2024, the MLC polls need more preparation. With only 15,000 voters registered in the past 3 months, experts say there’s no interest from stakeholders.
- In 2012, the Bengaluru graduate constituency had 1.09 lakh registered graduate voters. 19,000 of them cast their vote. It’s in keeping with the tradition of the constituency with fewer voters on election day.
What’s the reason? According to political analyst Professor Sandeep Shastri, the voting percentage in Bengaluru has always been low and the Bengaluru graduate constituency is no exception. Candidates or MLCs don’t have much interest in getting more people to vote.
🅿️ More parking at metro stations
Eight metro stations will get more parking spaces as the BMCRL plans a licensed model for contractors.
What’s it about? The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has floated a tender to increase the parking spaces at eight stations. The management of the parking lots will be a license model for contractors.
- The stations in question are Mysuru Road, Mantri Square, Seetharampalya, Nallurhalli, Satya Sai Baba, Kadugodi Tree Park, Benniganahalli, and Challaghatta. Over 8,900 metres of parking space will be allotted to allow over 2,000 vehicles.
- Of the stations chosen, only two will have space for four-wheelers. Each station will also have space for 10 bicycles. The parking will be available from 5 am to 12.30 am. At the Mysuru Road and Mantri Square stations, overnight parking won’t be allowed.
Parking fees: The BMCRL has allowed the contractor to charge a fixed rate. Cars will pay ₹30 for four hours and ₹10 for every extra hour. For two-wheelers, it’s ₹15 for every four hours and ₹5 for every additional hour. Cyclists will pay ₹1 per hour.
🎇 Malls gear up for Diwali
Malls in the city are gearing up for Diwali by mixing the traditional and the modern with music and festivities.
What’s it about? Various malls across the city are pulling out all the stops to attract the masses just in time for Diwali. With lights and colourful decorations, they’re mixing the traditional with the modern.
- At the Orion malls, there are eye-catching displays inspired by the country’s rich culture and mythology. At the Nexus malls, it’s all about sustainability with decor made of recycled paper.
- The Lulu Mall followed the Diwali theme with decor shaped like a burfi. At the Forum South Bangalore, there’ll be 30 live music shows, with the mall itself decorated with palace aesthetics.
All about the customer: With Diwali, the malls are catering to a large number of families across Bengaluru. They want people to not just shop and dine but also make it a family outing.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you attended a literature festival in India?
- I have attended a literature festival in India.
- I haven’t attended a literature festival in India.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s the best place for breakfast in the city?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- An AI assistant will help government school teachers prepare lesson plans.
- The Bengaluru Metro recently submitted to the Centre its revised proposal for Phase 3.
- Nandi Durga Road residents express frustration with lacklustre renovation work by the BBMP.
- Jayanagar street vendors have been asked to vacate by the BBMP who say they’ve been operating illegally.
- A leopard task force has been advised by the state government for Bengaluru.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I can swim: 70.0% 🏆
- I can’t swim: 30.0%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!