Good morning, Bengaluru!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny skies with clear weather!
🧐 Did you know? The migrant population in Bengaluru is more than its natives! The population of the native people of Karnataka, or the Kannadigas, is less than 41% of the whole population in the city.
🔌 Static shocks across the city
Many citizens in Bengaluru are experiencing minor shocks due to static electricity caused by dry weather.
Why this is happening? Many citizens in Bengaluru are reporting sudden jolts and static shocks. They are reporting static while brushing their hair, opening car doors, and using a gas light or metal tap.
- A senior scientist at the Meteorological Centre says it is because of the dry weather, which promotes static electricity.
- In regions with high moisture levels, like tropical regions, static discharges are not common. Bengaluru’s extended dry spell may be the main cause of this special phenomenon.
Avoid the shock: Many find the phenomenon amusing, while others find it scary. The best way to avoid the shock is by avoiding synthetic fabric and wearing cotton clothes. Citizens should also discharge themselves with a key or pin before touching any metal object.
📘 Exams postponed for classes 5-8
The Karnataka Education Department has postponed the exams for classes 5 to 8 due to the awaited verdict from the Karnataka High Court.
Story so far: The exams were originally scheduled to take place from March 13, but they have now been postponed.
- The education department had planned to conduct common assessments for classes 5 to 8 this academic year. However, the High Court (HC) quashed the order on Friday. The government has appealed the order, and the court has postponed the hearing to Tuesday.
- Both schools and the education department are anxiously awaiting the decision of the HC regarding common assessments. If common evaluation gets cancelled, they can conduct school-level exams, and the schools can prepare their own question papers.
Anxiety-ridden students: Both schools and educationists are extremely tense about this uncertain situation. Many feel that government actions are condemnable because students were first told they had to prepare for public exams, but they are now being told there may not be public exams.
🏥 Smart virtual clinics inaugurated
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai inaugurated a project on Saturday that will aid teleconsultation.
Story so far: This project has been designed collaboratively by Bengaluru Smart City Limited and BBMP. This project is meant to provide easy access to healthcare services throughout Bengaluru.
- A total of ₹21 crore has been allocated towards this project. The smart virtual clinics have a video conferencing facility and provide digital prescriptions. There is an online management system of medical reports, and consultations can also be booked by patients online.
- Patients can avail of treatments for issues relating to the heart, eyes, lungs, ears, skin and other organs. To treat these issues, the clinics are equipped with digital stethoscopes, dermascopes, glucometers and ECGs.
Location: These clinics are present on the premises of primary health centres in Palace Guttahalli, Netaji Circle, Subedar Palya, Gandhi Gram, and Nagappa Blocks in Malleswaram constituency. A central command centre located in Janatha Bazar has 20 specialist doctors ready to provide treatment.
🚒 15 fires every day
Things are certainly heating up in Bengaluru, with the city reporting 1,000 incidents of fire from January 1 to March 10.
Story so far: While fires in the summer are not unusual in Bengaluru, the incidence of fire mishaps this year has been higher than the last. Last year the city reported 2,033 fires during the entire year. The highest number of fires was around 3,363 in 2019.
- While most fires are minor, fire alerts keep firefighters fully engaged from the months of January through April.
- Putting out building fires due to short circuits is a major task, as they take more than three hours to be doused.
Precautions we can take: Authorities urge that citizens should be careful and not throw cigarettes and other flammable substances around. Citizens should also keep their wiring intact and safe.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
What time of day do you prefer to exercise?
- I prefer to exercise in the morning.
- I prefer to exercise in the evening.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What are some ways you destress after a hectic week?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- PM Modi inaugurates several projects, including the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, during his visit on Sunday.
- In a viral video, a verbal spat is seen between an auto-rickshaw driver and a passenger over language.
- The residents of the city are upset about garbage being strewn in all parts of Bengaluru.
- Many Bengalureans attended the VK Sthree Sambrama, where the topic of women empowerment was highlighted.
- City dwellers will soon be able to meet their last-mile connectivity woes.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!