Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 17 ℃ | Mist.
🧐 Did you know? The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bengaluru, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is renowned for its remarkable design that allows natural sunlight to shine on the shrine, specifically illuminating the Shivalinga, only on the day of Makar Sankranti (usually January 14th or 15th).
🌳 Revival of Lalbagh’s Bonsai Park
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The Lalbagh Bonsai Park is set to reopen after extensive renovation.
What’s it about? Bonsai Park in Bengaluru’s Lalbagh, closed for over a year, is undergoing major enhancements, with plans to reopen by mid-2023. The 2.5-acre park is being revitalised with a ₹40 lakh investment, focusing on the maintenance and expansion of its plant collection.
- The park will introduce 150 new plant varieties, expanding its existing collection.
- Efforts include infrastructure development, pruning, re-potting, and establishing a dedicated studio for Bonsai cultivation.
Enriching aesthetic: The rejuvenation of Bonsai Park emphasises both scientific development and aesthetic enrichment in Bonsai art. This initiative aims to create an educational and visually appealing space for visitors, showcasing a diverse range of Bonsai plants.
🏢 Enemy property assessment
CEPI surveys enemy properties in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? The Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) recently visited Bengaluru to assess immovable assets under the Enemy Property Act 1968. This Act addresses properties left by individuals who migrated to Pakistan and China after the 1962 and 1965 wars.
- The CEPI plans to take possession of these properties, potentially leasing them to the state government for public use or auctioning them if not required. The properties are occupied by private businesses.
- Bengaluru has six of Karnataka’s 24 enemy properties. Prime areas like Raj Bhavan Road, Vittal Mallya Road, and Victoria Road feature these properties.
Bringing in business: The CEPI’s move follows the central government’s push for eviction and sale of such properties across India. Deputy commissioners have the authority to evict occupants before auctioning these properties, aligning with new guidelines from the Union Home Ministry.
🎓 Bengaluru leads in college density
Bengaluru Urban district, renowned for its educational infrastructure, tops India’s college density.
What’s it about? Bengaluru Urban district has 1,106 colleges, the highest in the country. This finding is part of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report for 2021-22. Karnataka also leads in college density per lakh eligible population aged 18-23.
- Despite high college availability, the state observes a lower male-female student enrollment ratio.
- Additionally, the state ranks second in the number of OBC category teachers and has seen a rise in gross enrollment from 23.4% to 25.8%.
Foreign students: The state is home to a significant number of foreign students, especially at postgraduate levels, with the highest number coming from neighbouring countries like Nepal and Afghanistan. Karnataka also excels in maintaining an optimal pupil-teacher ratio.
👁️🗨️ Garuda CCTV project launch
Garuda CCTV project was inaugurated in Bengaluru for public safety.
What’s it about? The Garuda CCTV Command Centre, an initiative by Changemakers of Kanakapura Road (CMKR) to enhance public safety, was launched at Thalaghattapura police station by Police Commissioner B Dayananda. This centre is equipped with advanced monitoring technology, including nine 55-inch LED wall projections and 300-plus high-definition cameras.
- Funded by a consortium of 80 Resident Welfare Associations and supported by businesses, the project has installed 101 cameras in its first phase.
- The initiative aims to deter criminal activities, increase security, and improve law enforcement response times.
A model project: Hailed by the Police Commissioner, the project is expected to serve as a model for similar security enhancements in other parts of Bengaluru. Rapid Info Solutions is the technology integrator for this initiative, which has seen significant collaboration between local associations and the police.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Does your housing society permit bachelors to rent houses?
- My housing society permits bachelors to rent houses.
- My housing society does not permit bachelors to rent houses.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which perfume brand do you use?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The January flower show at Lalbagh recorded its highest-ever attendance, with 5.61 lakh visitors.
- Due to public demand, the initially planned 148.17-kilometre Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) will now be extended by about 5.5 kilometres.
- A technical issue on Saturday morning temporarily disrupted services on the Purple Line of Namma Metro between Baiyyappanahalli and MG Road stations.
- The Bengaluru Traffic Police are set to introduce a Telegram-based chatbot, enabling the public to report accidents and improve emergency response.
- KC General Hospital in Bengaluru is set for an upgrade with an investment of ₹150 crore.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!