Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 18 ℃ | Mist.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru Urban district is the most densely populated district in Karnataka.
🦜 Game for avian awareness
A new board game highlights urban effects on birds.
What’s it about? ‘Birds in the City’, designed by Priti Bangal and Prasad Sandbhor, is a board game that aims to enhance awareness about the impact of urbanisation on avian biodiversity, particularly in Bengaluru. It encourages players to take measures to ensure the flourishing of birds within urban settings, using a cityscape map-board reflective of Bengaluru’s diverse habitats.
- The game, coupled with a companion book, serves as an educational resource, offering insights into avian species and their urban challenges.
- Through gameplay, participants learn about habitat modification and its effects on bird populations, fostering discussions on environmental and biodiversity issues.
Collaborative work: The game’s development was inspired by earlier work on avian species and supported by the Bengaluru Sustainability Forum. It targets a broad audience, aiming to provoke thought and action on urban biodiversity conservation. It’s set for launch this April.
🤖 Google’s AI Forum
Google’s inaugural Research@ event in Bengaluru fosters AI innovation.
What’s it about? Google hosted its first Research@ event in Bengaluru, aimed at spotlighting AI solutions tailored to local challenges and facilitating collaboration among AI experts. Jeff Dean, Google DeepMind’s chief scientist, highlighted India’s strong position in the global AI landscape, thanks to its technical talent and burgeoning interest in machine learning.
- Dean emphasised the significance of Google’s initiative to develop AI models in all major languages, addressing the scarcity of digital resources in many linguistic communities.
- The event also touched on the importance of understanding AI’s rapid development and addressing potential issues associated with machine learning model scaling.
India connection: The gathering saw contributions from India’s leading AI researchers, including IIT Madras’s Balaraman Ravindran, who praised the event for updating peers on national AI activities and sparking potential collaborations.
🇮🇹 PIJJA: Bengaluru’s culinary fusion
New dining concept PIJJA launches in Indiranagar, blending Indian and Italian flavours.
What’s it about? PIJJA, a unique culinary venture in Indiranagar, aims to revolutionise the dining scene by combining the rich, bold flavours of India with the classic finesse of Italian cuisine. This establishment stands out not just for its food but also for its vibrant ambience, designed to foster creativity and collaboration among visitors.
- The restaurant spans 2800 sq.ft., featuring decor that includes striking graffiti by artist LeftHander a.k.a Rabba, and offers spaces like a jam and podcast room for artistic collaboration.
- Kiran Soans, the spokesperson for PIJJA, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to offering a new-age culinary experience where bold Indian flavours meet Italian mastery.
A unique landmark: PIJJA is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. With its innovative approach to cuisine and emphasis on creating a space for artistic expression, PIJJA is poised to become a landmark in Bengaluru’s gastronomic and cultural landscape.
👴🏻 Elderly seek companionship
Bengaluru event unites elderly seeking relationships.
What’s it about? An innovative matchmaking event in Bengaluru recently attracted 37 seniors, including an 83-year-old man, all looking for companionship, whether through remarriage or live-in relationships. This diverse group, hailing from across Karnataka and neighbouring states, reflects a growing trend among older citizens to seek companionship in their later years.
- Attendees included a wide array of professions, demonstrating the universal desire for companionship across different walks of life.
- Despite the skewed gender ratio and social stigmas, the event highlighted the participants’ bravery in pursuing happiness later in life.
Social support: Organized by the NGO Thodu-Needa, the mixer aimed to provide a supportive environment for elderly singles to connect. The NGO’s efforts since 2010 have resulted in over 500 successful unions, emphasising that it’s never too late to find love and companionship.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- For all things cocktails, music and fun, attend the BLR India Cocktail Week this weekend.
- Motorheads assemble! Attend Karnataka Bikers Carnival this weekend to indulge in a variety of entertainment while ogling at the bikes!
- Paint while sipping your favourite drink at the Sips & Swirls event this Saturday.
- Watch international acrobats perform stunts at the Olympian circus this weekend.
- Listen to songs with a message at Sithara’s Project Malabaricus this Saturday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I believe in karma: 50.0% 🏆
- I don’t believe in karma: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which sound annoys you the most?
Dharna: “Team’s ping/call”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!