Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru is also christened as the Rock/Metal Capital of India due to its underground music scene.
🎓 IISc tops NIRF ranking
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has retained its top position as the best university in India according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024.
What’s it about? This marks the third consecutive year IISc has held this title. Following IISc, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia secured the second and third spots, respectively, in the university category.
- The NIRF rankings evaluate higher education institutions on various parameters including teaching quality, research output, and overall performance.
- This year, the framework had introduced new categories for open universities, skill universities, and state-funded government universities.
Overall topper: While IISc topped the university category, IIT Madras claimed the overall top spot in the NIRF rankings.
🌧️ Peak hour paralysis
Heavy rains lashed Bengaluru early Monday morning, causing widespread traffic chaos across the city.
What’s it about? Several areas, including the northern and eastern parts of the city were severely affected. Key roads like the Outer Ring Road, Hebbal Flyover, Hosur Road, and Bannerghatta Road experienced severe waterlogging, bringing traffic to a standstill.
- Underpasses in various parts of the city were submerged, forcing vehicles to wade through water.
- Social media too was flooded with images and videos of commuters struggling through the inundated roads, with reports of school buses and employees being caught in the deluge.
Painting the town red: The traffic situation was reportedly so dire that navigation apps displayed the affected areas in red, indicating severe congestion.
✈️ US study fair
The US Consulate General is organising an education fair on August 18th at Hotel Taj, MG Road.
What’s it about? The event will bring together representatives from over 80 accredited US universities and colleges. Students can explore undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, interact with university officials, and get insights into the visa application process.
- Ambassador Eric Garcetti has emphasised the importance of these fairs in providing students with first-hand information about higher education opportunities in the US.
- This fair is part of a nationwide initiative with similar events planned across India.
Registration link: Registrations for the fair may be made here.
⚖️ New hoarding by-laws
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is taking steps to curb the rampant problem of illegal hoardings and flex banners in the city.
What’s it about? The civic body has informed the Karnataka High Court about the approval of new by-laws aimed at penalising violators. These new regulations, named the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike By-laws 2024, are currently open for public feedback before being officially implemented.
- The move comes after the High Court highlighted the alarming issue of over 600,000 illegal advertisements and hoardings removed by authorities recently.
- The court has been strict in its directives, warning officials of contempt proceedings if they fail to enforce the removal of such structures.
Expectations: The High Court has emphasised the need for better coordination between the BBMP and the Bengaluru Police in tackling this issue. The new by-laws are expected to include stringent penalties and a robust monitoring system to prevent the recurrence of illegal hoardings, especially during the monsoon season.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Were you caught in yesterday’s traffic snarls?
- I was caught in yesterday’s traffic snarls.
- I was not caught in yesterday’s traffic snarls.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What parameters should be used to measure a university?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Cardiological Society of India, Bengaluru has issued a statement condemning the Kolkata hospital rape and murder.
- The state government has deemed HMT’s sale of forest land in Jalahalli as illegal and ordered the taking back of 599 acres.
- BMTC has tightened safety measures for e-buses after a recent fire incident.
- Hy-Vee, the US-based grocery company has leased 54,000 sq ft of office space in the city.
- IMD officials have forecasted a non-stop wet week for the city.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have cycled long distances: 44.4%
- I haven’t cycled long distances: 55.6% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite productivity hack?
Simon: “Procrastination. That makes the last one hour before the deadline super-productive.”
Santhosh: “Time slicing; be an early riser and get 60% of work done before 6 am and get some morning exercise; short meetings; use smart features of smart phone like reminders, personal cal, screen time and focus profiles to avoid distractions.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!