Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Don’t forget your umbrella today! Scattered thunderstorms can be expected across the city.
🧐 Did you know? The first known mention of the name Bengaluru is in a stone inscription in a temple in Begur, dated around 890-900 CE.
😷 New Covid guidelines issued by Karnataka
In light of the steady increase of Covid-19 cases, the government of Karnataka has issued revised guidelines.
Story so far: After an observed increase in the hospitalization of Covid patients, the state government issued fresh guidelines. An apartment building will be considered a cluster if there are three to five active cases. Additionally, all symptomatic residents on the same floor will be subjected to Rapid Antigen Test. However, BBMP reassures citizens that most Covid cases are asymptomatic and says that there is no need to panic.
- The special health commissioner of the BBMP iterated that BA.4 and BA.5 variants were found to be dominant in the 40 samples that were sent for genomic sequencing.
- Most IT companies require employees to undergo an RT-PCR test before returning to workspaces, even if they are asymptomatic.
- BBMP is reiterating the need for IT-BT companies to follow Covid protocols and they are spreading awareness of the need for vaccination and booster doses for elders.
Cause of sudden rise in cases: Experts around the world have pinpointed the BA.5 variant as the cause of the increase in Covid cases. They stated that the BA.4 and BA.5 variants have higher transmissibility and higher relative growth rate. Experts also said that the booster dose is the only way to seek protection against mortality.
⛏️ BDA bulldozes complexes in HBR Layout
On Tuesday, the BDA reclaimed properties worth ₹100 crores by bulldozing shacks and commercial properties in HBR Layout.
Story so far: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) arrived at HBR Layout accompanied by over 200 policemen and started clearing out buildings that had been constructed on BDA-acquired plots.
- Fifteen commercial complexes, spread over 1.5 acres of land, were demolished by the BDA, retrieving land worth ₹100 crores.
- This land was a part of the 6 acres acquired by the BDA for the purpose of building HBR Layout and the occupants of the commercial complexes refused to evacuate despite the city civil court ruling.
- The commissioner of BDA, Rajesh Gowda, sought the help of city police to carry out the demolition, driving the occupants out of the buildings.
Why this happened: The city civil court ruled against the occupants and instructed them to evacuate the land belonging to the BDA. This ruling was also upheld by the high court however, the occupants continued to occupy the complexes, making a handsome revenue by leasing them out. The BDA set out with bulldozers to reclaim their land after many of their warnings were ignored.
👟 Adidas opens largest store in Bengaluru
Located on Brigade road, the sportswear giant Adidas unveiled its largest store in the heart of the city.
Story so far: Spread across 6500 sq. ft., the new Adidas store successfully embodies the future of retail shopping for consumers. The three primary pillars of the company, Experience, Sustainability and Credibility are displayed across four floors along with a wide variety of products for men, women and children.
- Since Adidas is committed to the cause of sustainability, the store houses a ‘Sustainability Wall’ that is designed using solely electronic waste.
- Additionally, the brand collaborated with local artists to create the central Atrium using recycled bottles and plastic containers.
- The store offers experience zones such as a football floor, an extended play area on the terrace and an activity area for children.
Optimizing retail experience: The new Adidas store is a representation of the future of retail shopping. It incorporates innovative and creative designs to enhance the consumer experience. Advanced technologies including digital plinths and immersive screens give customers a glimpse of superior digital shopping.
🏘️ Flat sales increase in Bengaluru
Housing sales have jumped in Bengaluru as the city saw the sale of 8,350 units in April-June, as opposed to 1,590 units in the previous-year period.
Story so far: According to the latest Real Insight Residential report, the demand for housing experienced a low base during the April-June 2021 period due to the second wave of the Covid pandemic. The growth seen in April-June 2022 is multi-fold.
- Housing demand has boosted due to the increased importance of owning a property as well as the consumer confidence in the economic scenario of the country.
- The year-on-year housing sales for this period increased 4.5 times, while the demand increased by 5% from the previous quarter.
Housing craze: Apart from Bengaluru, cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata also saw a hike in housing sales compared to the previous quarter.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
A lot of people migrate to Bengaluru from different parts of the country and settle down here. The cosmopolitan nature of the city means many people converse in different languages. However, not many people learn the Kannada language which is native to the state. If you are a migrant, is it necessary to learn Kannada to survive in Bengaluru?
- Yes, Kannada is necessary to survive in Bengaluru.
- No, Kannada is not necessary to survive in Bengaluru.
Yesterday’s poll results:
- I prefer to work from home: 50% 🏆
- I prefer to work from office: 50% 🏆
🗞️ In other news…
- Pet parents are relieved as the proposal for banning pets from Cubbon Park was suspended by the government.
- Manasi Prasad Ensemble will perform a classical fusion concert at the Bangalore International Centre on July 1.
- Kempegowda International Airport has crossed the 250-million passenger mark.
- Co-living startup Stayabode has been acquired by the managed accommodation platform Housr.
- IIM Bangalore and Karnataka government collaborate to offer entrepreneurship training for SC, ST women graduates.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!