Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌥️ Today’s weather: Partly cloudy with chances of thunderstorms.
🧐 Did you know? The first time ‘Bengaluru’ was used to refer to this city, the name was carved on a stone that dates back to 900 BCE, called the Nagtaras ‘Bengaluru Kalaga’ Inscription Stone. It was found at the Nagareshwara Temple in Begur.
✅ BU gets ISO certification
The certificate will help the varsity improve its grade in NAAC accreditation.
Story so far: Bangalore University (BU) has become the first public university in Karnataka to attain the ISO-9001-2015 certificate. The certificate is an essential requirement of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council’s (NAAC) accreditation process.
- The certification process involved an audit of BU’s educational qualities, teaching and administrative staff, infrastructure, enrollment, and graduation numbers.
- The university’s application for the fourth cycle of accreditation is due in the coming weeks.
Next steps: The auditing agency has directed the university to improve their students’ proficiency, extracurricular skills, leadership quality, and placement. BU recently revived its evening MBA programme, which was discontinued in 2017.
🚬 Whose e-cigarette is it anyway?
A survey found that vendors continue to sell e-cigarettes despite the ban.
Story so far: In 2019, the Union government banned the sale, storage, and manufacture of e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019. A recent survey conducted by the Voluntary Health Association of India reveals that they continue to be sold in tobacco shops in India.
- Enforcement drives in Bengaluru unearthed ₹8.9 lakh worth of e-cigarettes and illegal foreign cigarettes, which were seized.
- Most sellers didn’t know about the ban. The problem is that they are available online and sold without age verification.
Recommendations: Dr Ashok Patil, a National Law School of India University faculty, suggests that the centre should coordinate with state agencies to enforce the ban. A renowned oncologist believes people should practice vigilance and report cases of e-cigarette sales.
💊 Bipolar disorder treatment
NIMHANS observes that most patients with bipolar disorder drop out of their treatments.
Story so far: Doctors at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) reveal that around 70-80% of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder discontinue treatment. Put simply, bipolar disorders are brain disorders that cause intense changes in a person’s mood, energy, and functionality.
- After the patient stabilises and receives temporary relief from symptoms, they stop treatment. Many families also encourage this practice.
- Like diabetes, it’s essential to continue medication to keep the symptoms in abeyance and deter future episodes.
Tell me more? A patient with bipolar disorder experiences mood swings ranging between mania, an extreme high, and depression, an extreme low. It affects a person’s ability to carry out their day-to-day activities and makes it difficult to maintain relationships.
- If the disorder goes unchecked and untreated, it could lead to job loss, suicide, and family discord.
World Bipolar Day: Yesterday, NIMHANS observed World Bipolar Day with an exhibition, discussions, and a skit.
🥘 New food street
A former dump yard is being converted into the city’s second food street.
Story so far: Soon, Bengalureans will have a new official food street to haunt. A 500-meter stretch near Seshadripuram College in Yelahanka new town area will become the city’s second official food street.
- The project cost ₹3 crore. The authorities constructed roadside shops, beautified the roads, and designed sitting areas.
- The food street will have LED lights, variously designed grills, and granite stones.
Why it matters? The stretch used to be a dump yard, but the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has successfully transformed it. In some months, eatery owners can set up shop there.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Something’s Brewing is organising a free coffee-tasting session from the new harvest.
- Slow down and introspect with wepushthesky, a play about faith and friendship.
- Get your shoes dirty on a hike to watch the Skandagiri sunrise.
- Join the Formula 1 drivers’ race against time at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
- Wind down with techno music at the Magique sundowner on Sunday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I cover my laptop’s webcam: 53.8% 🏆
- I don’t cover my laptop’s webcam: 46.2%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your go-to breakfast food?
Datta: “Idly, Dosa, Akki Roti, Chitranna”
Himanshu: “2 Idlis, 1 Vada with DIP sambar.”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!