Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 17 ℃ | Mist
🧐 Did you know? KR Market’s Jamia Masjid, the largest mosque in the city, has the capacity to accommodate an impressive ten thousand followers at once.
🔭 Largest astronomy gathering
Bengaluru is set to host the 42nd meeting of the Astronomical Society of India, attracting 750 astronomers.
What’s it about? Bengaluru will be the venue for India’s largest annual astronomy gathering from January 31 to February 4. This event will feature discussions on diverse cosmic phenomena, including the Sun, planets, and black holes. The conference is organised in partnership with major Indian scientific institutions and will include a range of activities for visitors and students.
- The program includes the release of a decadal astronomy vision document and workshops on India’s first space-based solar observatory, the AdityaL1 mission.
- Plenary lectures will cover topics like India’s planetary exploration program and pulsar timing array initiatives, alongside recognizing outstanding contributions in astronomy and astrophysics.
More events: The Public Outreach and Education Committee is collaborating with local organisers to offer public lectures on space exploration and astronomy’s role in defining time and calendars. Additionally, the event features astrophotography exhibitions, solar and night sky observation events, and a star party at JN Planetarium.
💊 Transforming lives through peer power
Narcotics Anonymous in Bengaluru offers a lifeline to those battling drug addiction through peer-led support.
Overcoming addiction: At 50, Ranjan, a software architect and a recovering drug addict, is a testament to the power of peer support in overcoming addiction. He participates in Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a non-profit peer support group with daily meetings in Bengaluru for over 30 years. Founded in Los Angeles in 1953, NA offers a supportive community for those struggling with drug addiction, operating branches across India.
- NA’s approach involves self-admission of addiction, moving past denial, and making amends as part of the recovery process.
- The meetings, free of charge, are self-funded by members’ contributions, focusing on shared experiences, powerlessness, and gratitude.
Sharing the lessons: The meetings typically last 60-75 minutes, starting at 7 pm. Service is a crucial part of the recovery, with members visiting rehab centres to share stories and guide others towards NA meetings.
🍳 Winter magic in breakfast
A French Alps-inspired winter breakfast menu is set to delight Bengaluru at The Conservatory.
What’s it about? As Bengaluru transitions from winter to spring, The Conservatory is hosting a special breakfast event on February 3, featuring a menu by chef Aarohi Sanghavi of Mäki Pâtisserie. The menu, inspired by Sanghavi’s stint at Cheval Blanc Courchevel in the French Alps, blends Alpine charm with Indian ingredients. Sanghavi’s creations, including rustic desserts and hearty dishes, aim to evoke the energy and comfort of a snowy Alpine morning.
- The breakfast spread includes French Alps staples like Bourdaloue tart and ouef cocotte, using Indian produce like honey-roasted pears and strawberries from Mahabaleshwar.
- Sanghavi collaborates with Vithai coffee roasters, featuring specialty coffee from Tamil Nadu and innovative options like a lavender vanilla cortado.
Chemistry in kitchen: The menu also features local seasonal fruits, such as cape gooseberries and mulberries, in unique dishes. The event, priced at ₹1800 excluding taxes, reflects Sanghavi’s journey from a biochemistry student to a passionate chef, emphasising the importance of comfort in her culinary creations.
🚸 Safeguarding children’s well-being
Child rights experts urge for safer environments following the alarming rise in missing children cases in Bengaluru.
Missing children: In the wake of the distressing case of 12-year-old Parinav and the significant increase in missing children cases in the city, child rights experts are calling for urgent measures to ensure children’s safety. With 421 children reported missing in 2023, a 34% increase from 2021, experts like Navyashri S, a clinical psychologist at Fortis Hospital, highlight the importance of creating nurturing environments at home and school.
- Navyashri emphasises the need for open, non-judgmental communication at home, and vigilance for signs of distress in children.
- Schools are urged to appoint psychologists, conduct stress management sessions, and foster a stigma-free environment for counselling and therapy.
Building trust: The role of adults in a child’s life is crucial, as they should serve as trusted confidantes who listen and guide. Emotional security and mental health awareness among parents, teachers, and adults, are important to prevent children from feeling the need to escape their homes or schools.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you have an office setup at home?
- I have an office setup at home.
- I don’t have an office setup at home.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which luxury vehicle would you like to purchase?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- About 90 waste pickers from seven dry waste collection centres have succeeded in cutting down carbon emissions by 1,743 tonnes each year.
- A historical inscription at the Nageshvara Temple in Begur mentions a battle that took place in Bengaluru around 890 AD.
- Bengaluru’s Squadrone Infra and Mining Pvt Ltd has partnered with Guyana’s Industrias Geodia to target a $3-4 billion market in India, the Middle East, and South Asia for aerial mineral exploration and mining.
- The Race Course Road junction’s makeover, costing ₹1 crore, has faced criticism for its lack of creativity.
- BWSSB officials are concerned about fulfilling Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements if they need to release Cauvery water for crops in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the coming months.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- My housing society permits bachelors to rent houses: 71.4% 🏆
- My housing society does not permit bachelors to rent houses: 28.6%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!