Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: Expect light rain showers.
🧐 Did you know? Spanning 23 acres, Alahalli Lake, also known as Avalahalli Lake, features a 1.3 km walking path. It is situated in Bengaluru’s southern region near Amruth Nagar Main Road and Nandi Gardens Apartment Complex.
🍲 Exploring food through books
Writings from the Hearth, a library exhibit at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), curated by Ishani Debroy, delves into food’s cultural significance.
Story so far: Debroy explains that food descriptions and customs reveal cultural insights and characters in stories. The exhibit, with about 60 books, uncovers themes like culture, history, identity, and sustainability through food writing. It’s a project of IIHS Word Lab, collaborated with Asha Jhina and IIHS library team.
- On exhibit are books such as Michael Krondl’s ‘The Taste of Conquest’, Samanth Subramanian’s travelogue ‘Following Fish’, Krish Ashok’s scientific ‘Masala Lab’, and Laura Esquivel’s ‘Like Water for Chocolate’.
- The ‘1Shanthiroad Cookbook,’ featured in the exhibit, transcends recipes, notes Pooja Sagar. Published by Reliable Copy, renowned for art books, it showcases changing aesthetics in recipes and food presentation.
Origins: The exhibition’s inception traces back to a May 2023 City Scripts event at IIHS, where a food-themed panel discussion called “Writing from the Hearth: Food, Writing, and Memories” was held during their annual cultural festival. Curator Ishani Debroy’s exploration of food journalism led to the discovery of numerous experts.
🧹 Restrooms for pourakarmikas
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is finally listening to pourakarmikas’ demand for restrooms.
Story so far: The BBMP is set to construct permanent restrooms for pourakarmikas (civic workers) at 56 locations, supplementing the existing 240 makeshift Suvidha Cabins. Responding to long-standing demands, the civic body is embarking on its first project for permanent facilities.
- These restrooms will offer seating, resting areas, food spaces, drinking water points, changing rooms, toilets, and racks for equipment storage.
- Initially, 56 sites with available land have been chosen, and future construction will utilise existing infrastructure like Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs).
Crux of the matter: Currently, Suvidha Cabins for pourakarmikas lack seating and eating spaces, leading to workers sitting on the ground outside. These cabins heat up in summer and are inadequate. Pourakarmika unions demand better restrooms at mustering points, not just randomly available spaces.
- Though nearby facilities like schools and hospitals are provided, pourakarmikas often face restrictions in using them. The BBMP must ensure access to these facilities, said Nirmala M, president of BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha.
💊 Missing antibiotic stewardship programs
Bacterial antibiotic resistance is rising due to overuse.
Story so far: Yet, only a few Bengaluru hospitals implement antibiotic stewardship programs to counter this. Among hundreds of hospitals, just around 80 are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), which requires such programs. NABH operates under the central government’s Quality Council of India.
- Hospitals must establish an antibiotic policy in line with their stewardship program. The policy outlines common and restricted antibiotic usage, prescribing weaker options first and escalating if necessary.
- Several accredited hospitals are a part of large chains. Smaller ones are excluded from implementing antibiotic stewardship programs.
Mo’ problems: Monitoring hospitals’ antibiotic policy implementation is limited. Hospitals independently document and analyse, sharing reports with NABH only during triennial accreditation inspections. A challenge is the lack of microbiology labs; limited test results hinder antibiogram creation.
🌊 Residents ‘panchayat’ over lakes
Residents of Yelahanka arranged informal, topic-focused meetings resembling Gram Panchayat sessions to address lake health concerns.
Story so far: Bengaluru residents have a strong connection with their lakes, creatively raising concerns to catch policymakers’ attention. Avalahalli Lake saw apartment complex dwellers convening under a tree for an Eco Chaupal by Green Circle.
- Discussions covered the lake, rajakaluve, garbage, and encroachment, reflecting locals’ commitment to preserving water bodies and biodiversity.
- Around 25 residents from varied apartments adopted a buffer area near Krishna Sagar. Their efforts include planting 101 trees and consistent watering to nurture the greenery.
Other areas: In North Bengaluru’s Yelahanka, residents organise chaupals, while in South Bengaluru’s Akshayanagar Lake area, they promote water body health through a Ganga aarti-inspired ritual during monsoon. When the lake fills up, locals perform the ritual to unite the community and emphasize environmental well-being.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you seen the Rajkumar-starrer Bangaarada Manushya?
- I have watched Bangaarada Manushya.
- I haven’t watched Bangaarada Manushya.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What measures can help make Bengaluru more friendly to senior citizens?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Actor Rajinikanth springs a surprise visit to the BMTC bus depot in Bengaluru.
- A Bengaluru man, who stole a bicycle in 1985, was recently arrested after 38 years.
- Passengers were offloaded after a Kochi-Bengaluru flight received a bomb threat.
- Here’s a list of Whiskey Bars in Bengaluru.
- An Ola auto driver’s pursuit of higher education warms hearts.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have used the Outer Ring Road cycle lane: 20.0%
- I haven’t used the Outer Ring Road cycle lane: 80.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!