Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: High: 37 ℃ | Low: 23 ℃ | Partly cloudy sky.
🧐 Did you know? Each year on February 28, India celebrates National Science Day to commemorate the discovery of the Raman effect by physicist Sir CV Raman on this date in 1928. Sir CV Raman’s groundbreaking work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
👦 ECHO special home
The ECHO special home in Bengaluru provides comprehensive rehabilitative services to children in conflict with the law, featuring modern facilities and diverse training programs.
What’s it about? This facility, equipped with digital classrooms and a yoga room among other amenities, supports 34 children. It focuses on personal development through education, vocational training, and arts. Notably, children engage in practical skills like farming and selling produce, with assistance from entities like Bosch and educational institutions offering specialised courses.
- The home offers IT skills, tailoring, farming, and even a hotel management diploma in collaboration with ROC Mondriaan and Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
- Activities include yoga, meditation, and personality development programs in dance, music, and theatre.
Blending in society: The home also addresses social reintegration, helping children secure internships and jobs without disclosing their backgrounds. Additionally, it provides ongoing support and counselling to ensure a smoother transition into society.
🏃 TCS World 10K
Over 28,000 participants gathered at Bengaluru’s Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground for the TCS World 10K.
New route: The annual event featured a new route in the Central Business District, starting at dawn. Appearances from notable athletes like Valerie Adams and Anju Bobby George enhanced the communal and celebratory atmosphere. Participants ranged widely in attire and motivation, contributing to a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Individuals from various backgrounds, including a visually impaired runner and employees from local companies, took part, highlighting the event’s broad appeal.
- The event facilitated new social interactions and promoted team bonding, particularly among colleagues who met for the first time during the run.
Inciting passion: The race not only fostered community and health awareness but also ignited a passion for running among newcomers.
🗳️ Reasons for low voter turnout
The recent Lok Sabha elections saw a disappointingly low voter turnout in Bengaluru, continuing a trend of electoral disengagement in the city’s urban areas.
But why? Various factors contributed to the low participation. The primary reason cited by both BJP and Congress election managers is the lack of personalised door-to-door campaigning, which left many voters feeling overlooked. Additionally, extreme temperatures and health concerns during the voting period further discouraged turnout.
- Problems with voter registration and management, such as missing names and incorrect voter rolls, led to confusion and disenfranchisement.
- The election timing on a Friday, combined with Bengaluru’s lifestyle and significant migrant population, prompted many to travel, prioritising personal plans over voting.
More issues: The issues were exacerbated by the insufficient distribution of voter slips and logistical errors in polling arrangements, making it difficult for citizens to locate their correct polling stations.
🚇 Namma Metro’s QR ticketing
Bengaluru’s Namma Metro has introduced QR ticket machines at MG Road and Cubbon Park stations to streamline ticketing during peak hours, notably ahead of the IPL season.
What’s it about? The pilot project, which started on April 4, has already seen 4,500 tickets sold through these machines. Passengers can select their entry and exit points, pay via Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and print their QR tickets, aiming to reduce congestion at ticket counters, especially before cricket matches at nearby M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Out of 14 machines, MG Road station hosts six and Cubbon Park eight.
- Despite the convenience during busy periods, some commuters prefer using their metro cards or mobile QR tickets, finding them more efficient than the new machines during off-peak times.
Expansion possibility: Depending on the continued success of this initiative, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) may consider expanding the service to other stations based on foot traffic patterns.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Will India become a developed nation by 2047?
- India will become a developed nation by 2047.
- India won’t become a developed nation by 2047.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How many pushups can you do in one go?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Non-resident Indians (NRIs) from the US are leading the real estate sales in Bengaluru.
- On Sunday, Bengaluru experienced its second hottest day in 50 years, reaching 38.5 degrees Celsius.
- As the rental market intensifies, Bengaluru leads with the highest rental yield among cities at 4.45%.
- City Police Commissioner B Dayananda stated that there are plans to enhance night patrols to reduce crime.
- Six years after its initiation by BBMP, the pay-and-park facility in the central business district (CBD) is now in a state of disrepair.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!