Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 17 ℃ | Mist.
🧐 Did you know? Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, or CV Raman, became the first Indian director of the Indian Institute of Science in 1933.
🪘 Bengaluru Drum Fest returns
Celebrating drum artistry, the Bengaluru Drum Fest, curated by Arun Kumar, is set for February at Chowdiah Memorial Hall.
What’s it about? The Bengaluru Drum Fest, a vibrant celebration of drums curated by renowned drummer Arun Kumar, will take place at Chowdiah Memorial Hall from February 9. This year’s event, “Folk Mahal,” merges Karnataka’s folk rhythms with Western drumming in a pioneering fusion.
- The festival honours the late Sukumar Babu, a drumming community pioneer.
- It features performances by distinguished drummers including Ranjit Barot, promising a unique musical experience with solo performances and a drum face-off.
Capturing hearts: Supported by Jain University and Livetree Entertainment, this year’s edition seeks to captivate audiences with its innovative approach to celebrating drumming artistry.
🐸 New Frog Species in Bengaluru
Bengaluru urban ecosystem is home to a newly discovered frog species.
Urban frog: Researchers have documented a new frog species, ‘Sphaerotheca varshaabhu,’ in Bengaluru, marking a significant find in urban biodiversity. The discovery by Dr Deepak P and his team, involving genetic and bioacoustic analysis, highlights the adaptability of wildlife in cities. This species, emerging with early rains, underscores the potential of urban areas to support biodiversity.
- The frog exhibits unique characteristics distinguishing it from other species.
- The discovery emphasises the importance of conserving urban green spaces and water bodies.
United effort: This research collaboration spans multiple institutions, stressing the need for ongoing exploration and conservation efforts in urban ecosystems to protect such newly found species.
💻 Laptop manufacturing plant
Wistron is set to establish a laptop manufacturing unit near Bengaluru.
What’s it about? Karnataka has partnered with Taiwan’s Wistron to launch a laptop manufacturing facility, investing ₹1,500 crore and potentially creating 3,000 jobs. The state will allocate 32 acres for this project, expected to start by January 2026.
- The plant, a first in Karnataka, aims to manufacture laptops for all brands, emphasising automation and Industry 4.0 standards.
- Over half of the production is intended for export, alongside IoT and EV components manufacturing.
On the global map: This initiative marks a significant move towards enhancing Karnataka’s role in the global electronics industry, fostering innovation and job creation.
⛲ Public space upkeep
BBMP partners with Puravankara for public space maintenance.
What’s it about? The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has renewed its partnership with Puravankara Ltd, a city-based real estate firm, to maintain four road medians and a park in central Bengaluru for another three years. This extension builds on the company’s previous two years of service under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ensuring the continued beautification and upkeep of key city spaces.
- The maintenance includes the median between Balekundri Circle and Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Road, Kamaraj Road, and the stretch to Anil Kumble Circle, along with the Rest House Park.
- In return, Puravankara is allowed a modest space for brand display within these areas.
Collaborative effort: This agreement follows a direct request from BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, leveraging the BBMP Act 2020’s provision for private engagement in city asset maintenance for up to five years.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you believe in karma?
- I believe in karma.
- I don’t believe in karma.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which sound annoys you the most?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Nikhil Poojary, playing as a right-back/winger, signed with Bengaluru FC on Wednesday, securing a contract until the end of the 2027-28 season.
- Bengaluru residents can now find information on the nearest police station and officer contact details by scanning QR codes available in public areas.
- Hoteliers in Bengaluru urge customers not to linger in restaurants to counter losses from minimal orders.
- Civil rights activist and scholar Anand Teltumbde received the Basava Rashtriya Puraskara from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
- In Bengaluru, 595 water tankers were booked for traffic violations.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I prefer underground road tunnels: 0.0%
- I prefer flyovers: 100.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!