Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 17 ℃ | Mist.
🧐 Did you know? The current Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, Justice Prasanna B Varale, has been elevated as a Supreme Court judge. He will be the third Dalit judge of the Supreme Court, after Justice BR Gavai and Justice CT Ravikumar.
🍺 Beer duty hike
Karnataka government plans to increase beer duty again.
What’s it about? The Congress government in Karnataka is set to raise the duty on beer by 10 percentage points, effective from February. This second hike in seven months aims to boost the sales of Indian-Made Liquor (IML), a major revenue source for the state.
- The additional excise duty (AED) on beer will increase from 185% to 195%, potentially raising beer prices by ₹8 to ₹10 per 650ml bottle.
- This hike is expected to generate an additional ₹20 crore in monthly revenue.
Not a good strategy: The decision, ahead of the state budget, follows a year where beer sales rose by 15% while IML sales saw only marginal growth. Critics suggest that instead of increasing beer prices, reducing IML prices might be a more effective strategy to boost revenue.
🛩️ Air ambulance surge
ICATT Air Ambulance sees a spike in patient transfers.
What’s it about? ICATT Air Ambulance, based in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, has witnessed a significant increase in patient transfers, performing 1-2 domestic transfers daily and 3 international trips per week. This growth from 1-2 weekly cases in 2017 is driven by the need for critical care and organ transplant facilities.
- Transfer costs range from ₹4-7 lakh within south India to up to ₹2.5 crore internationally.
- 80% of their patients are middle-class, despite high costs.
Critical care: ICATT, offering both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft services, specialises in critical care, including ECMO support. The team is pitching helicopter-based air ambulance as a state-funded service to make critical care more accessible.
👮🏽♂️ Republic Day security
Bengaluru ramps up security for Republic Day 2024.
What’s it about? The Karnataka government has intensified security measures in Bengaluru for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Over 575 police personnel have been deployed, and 100 surveillance cameras installed across the city, including at Manekshaw Parade Ground.
- The parade will feature 30 platoons, including a squad from the Kerala State Police.
- Traffic diversions and specific parking arrangements are in place for public convenience.
Cultural events: BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath mentioned dedicated entry gates at the parade ground, with cultural events involving 1,500 children. The public is advised to comply with security protocols, including restrictions on carrying certain items.
🧑🦽 Inclusive placements at IIMB
IIM Bangalore achieves 100% placement for PwD students.
What’s it about? All 22 students under the category of persons with disabilities (PwDs) at the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIMB) have been successfully placed during the recent summer placements. A collaboration with Atypical Advantage, a livelihood platform for PwDs, facilitated the placement of these students as well as others from IIM Trichy.
- Top recruiters include Nestle, PhonePe, and HDFC ERGO, offering stipends up to ₹1.5 lakh per month.
- The initiative is a significant step towards inclusivity in competitive job markets.
Increasing collaboration: Vineet Saraiwala, founder of Atypical Advantage, aims to extend this collaboration to other IIMs, ensuring comprehensive support for PwD students across institutions.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been to a court?
- I have been to a court.
- I haven’t been to a court.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your bedtime routine?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Due to valve-repair work by BWSSB near Chandra Layout, water supply in west Bengaluru will be disrupted for six hours on January 26.
- The first driverless train for Electronics City Metro has been dispatched from China.
- Rainbow Children’s Hospital has opened a new 100-bed facility on Sarjapur Road in Bengaluru.
- Women over 100 years old make up 60% of voters in this age group, while men constitute less than 40%, with no transgender individuals in this voter category.
- During the 68th Railway Week celebrations of South Western Railway, the Bengaluru Division was awarded the Overall Efficiency Shield.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have driven a go-kart: 77.8% 🏆
- I haven’t driven a go-kart: 22.2%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!