Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 24 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with moderate rain.
🧐 Did you know? There are 79 uninhabited villages in the Bengaluru Rural District.
✈️ Straight to Mauritius
IndiGo has launched direct flights from Bengaluru to Mauritius, starting on November 19, 2024, marking its 35th international destination.
What’s it about? This move is aimed at enhancing connectivity between India’s tech hub and Mauritius which is a key gateway to East Africa, facilitating tourism, trade, industry and business ties.
- The airline will operate four weekly flights on this route, becoming the first to provide a direct connection between the two regions.
- The easy visa-on-arrival process for Indian citizens is expected to further boost demand for the service.
Growth potential: Mauritius, with its multicultural heritage, pristine beaches, and favourable business climate, is becoming an economic hub in East Africa, making this route particularly promising for strengthening economic ties.
🚗 HSRP deadline nearing
Starting in October, vehicle owners in Karnataka without High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) will face fines ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
What’s it about? Currently, only 53 lakh out of over 2 crore vehicles in the city have complied. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy had earlier announced a 15-day grace period before penalties are enforced.
- HSRP has been mandatory for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, with repeated deadline extensions due to poor compliance.
- Meanwhile, public service vehicle owners, including buses, school vans, and taxis, are opposing the mandatory installation of Vehicle Tracking Devices (VTD) and panic buttons, which cost between ₹15,000 and ₹18,000.
Extension likely: The Karnataka State Travel Operators Association has voiced these concerns, and department officials are considering extending the deadline for truck owners with national permits and buses operated by the Road Transport Corporation.
🏢 GCC concentration
Bengaluru has established itself as India’s top hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), housing 36% of the GCC workforce.
What’s it about? The concentration is said to be driven by the city’s strong high-tech sector (37% of the total) and professional services like BFSI (21%) workforces. Meanwhile, Hyderabad leads in high-tech innovation, contributing 45% of its GCC workforce in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
- Mumbai and Pune also play significant roles, with 31% of its GCC partnerships, especially in high-tech (33%) and automotive (22%).
- Pune is emerging as a key player in automotive, while Mumbai excels in capital markets and financial services.
Capital’s contribution: Delhi-NCR contributes 22% to the overall GCC workforce, focusing on software, platforms, and oil sectors, with expertise in AWS, IoT, and cloud technologies.
👈🏽 Cops to learn sign language
Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda initiated a sign language training program for officers following an incident where two men mocked the hearing impaired in a social media video.
What’s it about? The commissioner has emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between the police and people with disabilities to foster inclusivity. The initial offensive post, which led to swift arrests, had highlighted the need for better communication with the disabled community per the commissioner.
- The conference was symbolically held on World Sign Language Day.
- The police have been working with NGOs to promote accessibility and inclusiveness for over a year now.
Detailed plans: By equipping officers with sign language skills, the police aim to ensure that individuals with hearing and speech impairments feel confident in approaching law enforcement. The initiative also plans to introduce representatives from NGOs specialising in sign language and Braille to assist at police stations across Bengaluru.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you have a High-Security Registration Plate?
- I have a High-Security Registration Plate.
- I do not have a High-Security Registration Plate.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s one thing Bengaluru could learn from Mumbai?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Kaspersky has partnered with MIT Bengaluru to enhance cybersecurity education.
- The Chief Minister inaugurated 65 modern ambulances and dedicated them to the city.
- Redcliffe Labs have bought Celara Diagnostics for $7 million.
- The Traffic Police conducted a special drive cracking down against private bus drivers found violating regulations.
- 20 undertrial prisoners were transferred from the city to Belgaum due to security concerns.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been to Gori Palya: 20.0%
- I have not been to Gori Palya: 80.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!