Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 17 ℃ | Mist.
🧐 Did you know? India’s first-ever SAARC summit took place at Nandi Hills in 1986.
🌹 Booming rose exports
Bengaluru’s rose exports soar as Valentine’s Day demand spikes, with significant growth in international markets.
City of roses: Bengaluru is making a mark in the global rose export market, especially due to Valentine’s Day. Last year, the city exported an impressive 5,89,300 kg of roses from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), witnessing a 14% increase from the previous year. The high-quality roses grown in the region, renowned for their freshness and longevity, are in great demand both domestically and internationally.
- The demand for Bengaluru’s roses is particularly strong in the UAE and Europe, with traders expecting around 10 lakh stems this year, up from 7 lakh last year.
- Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the rose export industry has shown resilience, with a significant rebound in shipments in recent years.
Crucial support: The International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) plays a crucial role in sourcing and distributing these roses, catering to a diverse international clientele.
🚰 Tanker reliance on the rise
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar highlights tanker reliance for water supply in Bengaluru and emphasizes the Mekedatu project as a solution.
25% demand met: In the Karnataka legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also oversees Bengaluru Development, revealed that tankers are currently meeting approximately 25% of Bengaluru’s water demand.
- This reliance on tankers, primarily sourcing water from borewells, underscores the growing challenge of providing sufficient drinking water to the city’s residents, especially with the annual influx of nearly 10 lakh people.
- The Deputy CM also noted that water tariffs have remained unchanged for 11 years, despite increases in power tariffs and other costs contributing to the rising expense of water supply in the city.
The saviour: The proposed Mekedatu project, involving the construction of a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River, is seen as a crucial measure to address Bengaluru’s escalating water needs.
🏢 Pratt & Whitney’s strategic expansion
Pratt & Whitney establishes an R&D centre in Bengaluru to enhance global digital and business transformation.
What’s it about? Pratt & Whitney (PW), a prominent US-based engine manufacturer, has announced the establishment of its research & development (R&D) centre, the India Digital Capability Center (IDCC), in Bengaluru. This multi-million-dollar investment aims to accelerate innovation and digital transformation across PW’s global operations.
- Slated to house over 300 employees by 2027, the IDCC will complement PW’s existing engineering and supply chain operations in the city.
- The IDCC will work closely with other RTX businesses in India, fostering synergy and innovation within the aerospace and defence sectors.
Indian talent FTW: PW’s continued investment in India, including the new R&D centre and previous collaborations with the Indian Institute of Science and the establishment of the India Engineering Center, underscores its commitment to leveraging India’s talent and resources for global growth.
🚕 Bengaluru’s top getaways
Uber’s ‘Riding with Intercity’ report reveals Mysuru and Nandi Hills as favourite destinations for Bengaluru residents.
What’s it about? Uber’s annual ‘Riding with Intercity’ report has identified Mysuru and Nandi Hills as the top getaway choices for Bengaluru residents, with the Bengaluru-Kolar route ranking among India’s top three inter-city routes. The report underscores a growing trend of weekend inter-city travel, with Saturdays witnessing the highest number of bookings, followed by Sundays and Fridays.
- The preference for weekend getaways is clear, with improved road infrastructure facilitating comfortable and quicker journeys.
- The report also sheds light on the primary reasons for inter-city travel, including family visits, business trips, and tourism.
Insightful: This study offers valuable insights into travel patterns and preferences, highlighting the impact of infrastructure development on travel behaviour and the diverse motivations behind inter-city journeys.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been to a live music concert?
- I have been to a live music concert.
- I’ve never been to a live music concert.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which water theme park do you like the most?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Karnataka is under scrutiny for denotifying deemed forest land.
- Intune, the value fashion chain of Shoppers Stop, has opened two new stores in Bengaluru.
- Jyoti Nivas College Autonomous, in collaboration with Eka Inclusion, hosted an international conference on mental health on February 10.
- A pop-up in Bengaluru is advocating zero-waste cooking and the use of indigenous ingredients.
- Akasa Air announced that it will cancel four daily flights between Mumbai and Bengaluru.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I eat food using my fingers: 61.1% 🏆
- I eat food using spoons: 38.9%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!