Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: Cloudy intervals and some sun.
🧐 Did you know? Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba, born Ratnakaram Sathyanarayana Raju, had a Bangalore ashram. During its 2011 opening, donations from global devotees, including 6 kg of gold coins, 245 kg of silver articles, and ₹8 million in cash, were counted.
🏡 Buying luxury villas
322 luxury villas are about to open in North Bengaluru.
Story so far: The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) is almost done with building 322 villas in Puneeth Rajkumar Housing Complex, Hunigere. Sales start soon, and buyers can book online via the BDA website in the coming months.
- Around 170 4BHK villas and 152 3BHK villas are available for ₹75 lakh to ₹1.1 crore. The villas offer 1,500 to 2,300 square feet of carpet area.
- BDA built a 320-flat apartment complex nearby, offering 1BHK flats from ₹14 lakh. Villa buyers can consider these for their household or support staff’s stay.
Other projects: Earlier, BDA sold 320 apartments at ₹32 lakh each in Kommaghatta, near Kengeri metro station in Bengaluru’s southeast. Another project, near Nayandahalli metro station in Chandra Layout, offers 120 3BHK apartments starting at ₹1.04 crore.
🔌 Stäubli’s big news
Stäubli’s new facility in the city will boost its local presence.
Story so far: Stäubli, a global industrial and mechatronics expert, has inaugurated a $15 million Bengaluru facility. This 25,000 square feet office bolsters their local presence, with a focus on industries like Railway, Automotive, Pharma, and Power. Based in Switzerland, Stäubli specialises in Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors, Robotics, and Textile divisions.
- The new facility houses three divisions: Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors, and Robotics.
- Inside, you’ll find a product showcase, demo space, training rooms, a warehouse, and a service centre, catering to both customers and employees.
India presence: Gurupad Bhat, Stäubli Tec Systems India’s Managing Director, expressed that the new facility will enhance collaboration with stakeholders. This will accelerate local efforts and bolster engineering capabilities, ultimately expanding Stäubli’s presence in India.
🚴 How the longest cycle lane disappeared
The Namma Metro construction work has proved destructive for Bengaluru’s cycle lane.
Story so far: The COVID-19 pandemic changed Bengaluru’s mobility landscape. A 17-kilometre cycle lane was created along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in 2020 for IT corridor commuters. But, a new Namma Metro line construction led to the lane’s disappearance. Bollards separating the lane were taken down due to the metro work.
- Cycling became a secure commuting option during the pandemic. Bicycle mayor Sathya Sankaran explained how dedicated cycle lanes were established by DULT and BBMP in 2020.
- However, when the Namma Metro’s construction in 2022 caused the cycle lane to vanish, it increased risks to cyclists.
Government intervention: Sankaran stressed the need for cycle lanes in Bengaluru’s busy corridors and ORR. The DULT has a cycling master plan, aiming for 2,000 km of lanes. Urging swift government action, he highlighted the current 20-km fragmented lanes.
💻 Mercari’s Center of Excellence
Japan’s Mercari opened its first India Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Story so far: Japanese e-commerce giant Mercari has launched its first Global Center of Excellence (GCoE) in Bengaluru, marking its Indian market entry and expansion strategy. Following its presence in Japan and the US, Mercari’s move to India is notable.
- With a plan to double its Indian workforce to 80+ employees in a year, the India team will focus on vital product engineering, including backend apps, mobile development, and infrastructure.
- The company promotes collaborative, cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing between its Indian team and global counterparts from over 50 countries.
Tech advancement: Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed Mercari asserts its position as Japan’s largest community-driven platform with 22 million users. The inauguration of its Bengaluru Center of Excellence signifies its global innovation commitment.
- Ken Wakasa, Vice President and Group CTO, believes India plays a major role in driving tech advancements and global customer experiences.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you used the Outer Ring Road cycle lane?
- I have used the Outer Ring Road cycle lane.
- I haven’t used the Outer Ring Road cycle lane.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s important for personality development, according to you?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- IndiGo’s Kochi-Bengaluru flight received a hoax bomb threat.
- In another road rage incident, a scientist was chased and attacked by goons.
- An IISc study paves the way for a new class of drugs against resistant bacteria.
- Bengaluru Police arrest a man over his ‘moral policing’ video against a woman.
- The 8th edition of ‘Freedom Rice Bran Oil presents Bhumika Club’ happened on Sunday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have donated blood: 50.0% 🏆
- I haven’t donated blood: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which old movie would you like to see in the theatres?
Sriranga: “Bootayyana Maga Ayyu & Bangaarada Manushya. The classic movies of the Kannada Industry.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!