Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 24 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Mist
🧐 Did you know? In 1864, the first railway line in Karnataka, between Bangalore Cantonment and Jolarpettai, was opened for traffic.
🎨 Chitra Santhe: Artistic extravaganza
Chitra Santhe’s 21st edition draws half a million to Bengaluru’s art fair.
What’s it about? Bengaluru’s Chitra Santhe, in its 21st year, transformed Kumarakrupa Road into a vibrant art hub, attracting over five lakh visitors. This annual event, initiated in 2002 to democratise art, has become a much-anticipated gathering for artists and art enthusiasts alike.
- Despite concerns over the increasing prevalence of generic art, the fair continues to be a space for creativity and innovation, with artists like Sanjay Lavakere and Alok Chakraborthy tailoring their work to meet diverse tastes.
- While some veteran artists critique the event for catering to more commercial tastes, many participants value the exposure and interaction the fair offers.
Art for all: The Chitra Santhe reflects Bengaluru’s evolving art scene, where tradition meets modernity and commercial success intersects with creative expression.
🛣️ CSR funds for road maintenance
BBMP calls for private sector support to maintain TenderSURE roads.
What’s it about? The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a notification seeking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from companies to maintain 12 key roads within the Central Business District (CBD) under the TenderSURE project. The civic body, responsible for asphalting these roads, estimates a maintenance cost of ₹50 lakh per kilometre annually and has identified 13.41 kilometres for upkeep through a public-private partnership.
- The funds are intended for various maintenance tasks, including footpath repair, cycle lane painting, and beautification efforts.
- In return, contributing firms will receive limited advertising space along these stretches.
Challenging times: The TenderSURE project, initiated in 2011, aimed to create world-class road infrastructure in Bengaluru. Despite the high initial investment, ongoing maintenance has become a challenge for the BBMP, leading to the innovative approach of partnering with the private sector through CSR funds.
🤝🏼 SentinelOne acquires Bengaluru’s PingSafe
SentinelOne will purchase PingSafe in a $100 million deal, marking a rapid exit for the startup.
What’s it about? U.S.-based cybersecurity firm SentinelOne is set to acquire Bengaluru-based startup PingSafe for approximately $100 million. Founded in 2021 and having secured $3.3 million in funding last year, PingSafe quickly made a mark in the cloud security space. The deal, comprised of cash and stock, underscores SentinelOne’s strategy to expand its cloud security portfolio and capitalise on the growing CNAPP market.
- PingSafe, with less than 100 employees and over 50 clients, has made significant strides in cloud-native application protection.
- The deal is seen as a strategic move by SentinelOne to enhance its position in the lucrative cloud security sector.
Hopeful times: This acquisition occurs amidst a challenging climate for startups, characterized by funding difficulties and layoffs. The successful and quick exit of PingSafe, along with the substantial valuation of the deal, is a positive sign for the startup ecosystem.
🧾 BBMP cracks down on tax defaulters
BBMP intensifies property tax collection efforts, focusing on commercial entities in residential zones.
What’s it about? The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is actively sending notices to over 6 lakh property tax defaulters, including shops and hotels operating within residential areas, urging them to pay taxes appropriate for commercial units. This crackdown extends to properties that have under-assessed their value or made unreported additions.
- Residents like those in Srirampura are receiving notices for significant tax dues, some resulting from additional constructions or commercial use of their properties.
- While some property owners are settling their dues, others await potential tax relief.
No relief: The BBMP’s stance is clear: if a shop receives a commercial power supply, it must also pay commercial property taxes.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you run a marathon?
- I have run a marathon.
- I haven’t run a marathon.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which word in English do you use the most while speaking?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- In Bengaluru, only 7.2% of cybercrime cases have been solved.
- Manual scavengers in Bengaluru endure dire living conditions and face a lack of adequate housing.
- Students at IIIT Bengaluru have created a web search tool for colloquial Kannada using community radio.
- The Bengaluru West Division Police organized a ‘Say No to Drugs’ walkathon.
- Phurr, a restaurant dedicated to redefining vegetarian cuisine through creative and artistic dining, has recently opened in Bengaluru.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have used ChatGPT: 88.2% 🏆
- I haven’t used ChatGPT: 11.8%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!