Good morning, Bengaluru!
đŚď¸ Todayâs weather: Cloudy intervals and light showers.
đ§ Did you know? Tipu Sultanâs Summer Palaceâs entrance has an inscription in Farsi. Back in the day, the palace was a part of the Bangalore Fort. Tipu called it the âRash-e-Zannatâ, which means envy of the heavens.
đĽ Innovation in healthcare
Siemens and IISc sign an MoU to promote innovations in healthcare.
Story so far: Medical technology firm Siemens Healthineers and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote innovation in healthcare. On Wednesday, the med-tech major will lay the foundation stone for an innovation hub at Bommasandra Industrial Area.
- The hub will cost âš1,300 crore and span over 75,000 sqft. Siemens expects it to be functional by 2025 and employ 1,800 people.
- Siemens will lend support to the anticipated multi-speciality hospital at IISc. They will be responsible for the hospital and other IISc medical schoolsâ biomedical equipment needs.
Why it matters? The collaboration between the two will promote healthcare innovations by expanding and equipping universities, hospitals, and industries. India is an important market for Siemens, and the innovation hub will be a state-of-the-art facility.
đ Whitefield-KR Puram metro line
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BMRCL plans to inaugurate the Whitefield-KR Puram metro line soon.
Story so far: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) officials reveal that the anticipated Whitefield-KR Puram metro line will be inaugurated on March 25. However, the date the metro line will become operational remains uncertain.
- BEML Limited, a PSU under the defence ministry, will supply seven trains on the KR Puram-Whitefield section. A slight modification in operational convenience is likely.
- The trains will run at a frequency of twelve minutes. BMRCL plans to get some loco pilots from the purple line for the Whitefield-KR Puram line.
Pending work: Before the line becomes operational, the BMRCL will conduct trial runs to assess and address all operational snags. Civil work like glass fixing and signage board maintenance is yet to wind up in certain metro stations, like KR Puram.
𩸠Combating menstrual health taboos
A city-based social initiative founded by a scientist creates awareness about menstrual health.
Story so far: Scientists & Co, a Bengaluru-based social initiative, recently organised an awareness session on womenâs health and hygiene. Around 550 women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, pourakarmikas, and other communities attended the event.
- The session imparted the know-how of using sanitary pads and maintaining hygiene. According to its founder Dr Sweta Raghavan, many women donât have basic knowledge about their menstrual health.
- The session also aimed to empower the communities to pursue successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The venture: Scientists & Co have mentored 5,000 disadvantaged students. They distribute safe, reusable, and eco-friendly sanitary pads. They also seek to increase knowledge about health and hygiene among disadvantaged women.
đĽ Percussion festival debuts soon
An exciting and diverse lineup awaits the Mahindra Percussion Festival this weekend.
Story so far: A Shivamani, Ranjit Barot, Selva Ganesh, Paquito Gonzalez, Arto TunçboyacÄąyan, and bands âAattam Kalasamithiâ, âPulse Conversationâ will perform at the debut edition of Mahindra Percussion Festival on March 18.
- The day-long festival, organised by percussionist Barot, will be held at the Jayamahal Palace.
- A Shivamani has played the drums for many Kollywood and Bollywood film soundtracks like Rang De Basanti, Swades, Dil Se, and Rockstar. V Selvaganesh belongs to the Carnatic tradition. He is a leading kanjira player.
Why it matters? The festival features a diverse and exceedingly talented line-up. Traditionally, percussion instruments are viewed as supplementary in Indian classical music. A festival featuring them solely is bound to break creative barriers and spark cultural conversations.
- Viveick Rajagopalanâs âTa Dhom Projectâ is one example. It will blend Konnakol – a Mridangam-derived vocal percussion – and rap.
đ Today’s Poll
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Do you enjoy texting more or calling?
- I prefer texts.
- I prefer calls.
â Today’s Question
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đď¸ In other newsâŚ
- House owners of the BDAâs Alur Phase-2 Housing Project battle water seepage and cracked walls.
- Five water bodies from Karnataka feature in the list of water heritage sites of India.
- The BBMP Pourakarmika Sangha threaten to go on strike from March 20, demanding job regularisation.
- A Bengaluru couple earns âš45 crore annually by selling samosas.
- KSRTC hikes bus fares from Bengaluru to Mysuru.
đď¸ Local Lounge
Yesterdayâs Poll:
- Iâve gifted flowers: 62.5% đ
- Iâve never given anyone flowers: 37.5%
Thatâs it for today. Have a great day!