Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Sunny intervals and light winds.
🧐 Did you know? Since September 2020, Bengaluru has been without an elected council, marking the longest period without one in recent history.
🗺️ Maps for notified wards
A new website will help citizens understand Bengaluru’s wards better.
Story so far: On Monday, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) released maps for all 225 recently notified wards. These maps offer insights into the geographical area, population, assembly, and parliamentary constituency.
- The maps are available at http://bbmpdelimitation2023.com. They can be downloaded for a clearer understanding of their wards’ accessibility and features.
- On August 18, when the wards were announced, citizens were given a 15-day window for submitting comments and objections. These maps will help citizens and enhance their clarity.
What next? Once the delimitation process concludes, the government will likely declare ward reservations. Subsequently, elections for the BBMP are anticipated to take place.
🗽 Stories behind statues
Three researchers embarked on a journey to document Bengaluru’s statues.
Story so far: You might find yourself taken aback by the abundance of statues dotting Bengaluru’s public areas. Among these, an impressive array pays tribute to the cherished Kannadiga actor and politician, Rajkumar. According to Ravi Kumar Kashi, an artist who has dedicated years to cataloguing these creations, most statues began appearing during the 1990s.
- Bengaluru’s transformation into India’s Silicon Valley attracted non-Kannada speakers, prompting Kannada identity assertion through flags and Rajkumar statues, reflecting his advocacy for Kannada people in governance and education.
- Following Rajkumar, the other prominent statues in Bengaluru were of BR Ambedkar. Previously marginalised groups were asserting cultural and historical significance, staking their claim in Bengaluru.
How it started: With a grant from the India Foundation of the Arts, Kashi and colleagues from RV College of Architecture, Salila Vanka and Madhuri Rao, documented Bengaluru’s statues. Kashi focused on older parts like Malleswaram.
- Originally expecting 200, they discovered 700 statues across the city, possibly even more undiscovered.
🌊 Sewage and industrial waste
Poor drainage infrastructure and other challenges pollute rivers that flow into Tamil Nadu.
Story so far: Bengaluru faces a persistent issue of discharging approximately 140 million litres of polluted water daily due to the failure of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and other authorities in treating city sewage.
- The water contains both sewage and industrial waste, with the Koramangala-Challaghatta and Hebbal-Nagavara valleys being major contributors, polluting water that eventually enters Palar and Dakshina Pinakini river basins.
- The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) rates Dakshina Pinakini’s water quality as highly polluted. Recent reports consistently assign the lowest grade (‘E’ – suitable for industrial cooling) for the past three months.
Drainage issues: The inclusion of 110 villages in BBMP limits brings drainage issues, while the current STPs don’t meet the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards. A progress report to the National Green Tribunal highlighted major concerns due to state government non-cooperation.
- The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), BBMP, lake, and minor irrigation departments neither attended meetings nor responded, as stated in the report.
🎉 Jayanagar’s golden jubilee
On August 20, Jayanagar turned 75.
Story so far: It was a significant moment when Jayanagar, a cherished neighbourhood, celebrated its 75th anniversary on August 20th. This meticulously planned locality, established just a year after India’s independence in 1948, holds the distinction of being one of the city’s earliest and most organised residential areas.
- Jayanagar, made up of blocks one to nine, and a special Fourth T Block (T for Tayappa), has its third and fourth blocks thriving as commercial centres. Other blocks combine residential and commercial spaces.
- It has attracted renowned figures to settle in. Movie stars, politicians, IAS officers, and scientists contribute to its dynamic and diverse community.
Roots: Jayanagar’s origins stem from a cluster of villages, with Kanakanapalya being prominent. The name “Jayanagar” honours the last Mysore Maharaja, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, symbolising victory. Landmarks like National College (1965), Nanda Theatre (1969), and City Library (1968) have shaped the area’s identity.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Can you cook to sustain yourself?
- I can cook.
- I can’t cook.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which statues have you seen near your home or workplace?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The BBMP removed an unauthorised banner near the Karnataka Congress office and imposed a ₹50,000 fine.
- Exide Energy plans to double its lithium cell production.
- The police commissioner answers how to deal with road rage incidents.
- Here’s a piece about Asense Interior, an interior design firm.
- A Google techie lists 7 reasons for not moving to the US.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been to a work-related conference: 66.7% 🏆
- I haven’t been to a work-related conference: 33.3%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!