Good morning, Bengaluru!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 32 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Clear and sunny weather.
🧐 Did you know? The Dodda Basavanagudi Bull Temple has a 15-foot-high statue of the divine bull Nandi carved from a single block of black granite.
🛼 Skating community thrives
Every weekend, Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park comes alive with skaters of all ages and skill levels, thanks to a community initiative started in 2016.
What’s it about? Divye Karde, the founder of the skating community, has seen it grow from a small group of colleagues to over 200 members. The community welcomes everyone, from beginners to pros, and from toddlers to seniors. It’s a space where differences fade, and a sense of freedom and belonging prevails.
- Skating is promoted as a versatile sport, good for both body and mind, and an eco-friendly commute option.
- Safety is a top priority, with emphasis on protective gear and stationary practice for beginners.
Beyond skating: The community fosters friendships, cultural events, and a supportive atmosphere. It’s not just about skating; it’s about building a welcoming family that’s open to everyone.
💊 Tapentadol addiction among youth
The NIMHANS Centre for Addiction Medicine reports an alarming increase in tapentadol addiction among youngsters in Bengaluru, with a call for awareness to address the issue.
What’s it about? Originally prescribed as a post-surgical painkiller, tapentadol has become a popular drug of abuse. From just 23 cases reported until 2019, the numbers have surged to nearly 270 between 2019 and 2023. Most addicts are from economically weaker sections and are now seen at a rate of six patients per week.
- Users crush and inject the tablets, leading to instant highs and eventual addiction. A majority of patients also suffer from hepatitis C, likely due to shared syringe use.
- Overdose risks include coma, while symptoms like weight loss emerge after a few months.
Awareness must: Despite the drug’s prescription status, it remains accessible, posing challenges for regulation. Doctors emphasise the need for awareness rather than stricter controls, acknowledging tapentadol’s legitimate medical use.
🚰 BBMP allocates funds for borewells
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has set aside ₹131 crore to drill borewells in response to the looming water scarcity in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? With 58 locations across the city facing drinking water shortages, the BBMP plans to drill borewells in critical zones like Mahadevapura, RR Nagar, and Bommanahalli. The initiative aims to alleviate the water crisis, particularly in the outskirts and the 110 village limits, where reliance on borewells is high due to groundwater depletion.
- The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has been directed to drill borewells in Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants and identified 257 critical areas for immediate action.
- BWSSB is using water tankers to supply water to affected areas, with 86 tankers owned and 200 private tankers hired.
Addressing scarcity challenge: Bengaluru receives 1,450 MLD of water from the TK Halli pumping station, with sufficient storage at reservoirs like Kabini and Gorur to meet the city’s potable water needs. The BBMP’s borewell drilling initiative is a step towards addressing the water scarcity challenge, particularly in the city’s outskirts.
🐟 Aquarium revamp at Cubbon Park
The government aquarium in Cubbon Park, Bengaluru, is undergoing its first major renovation since 1983, adding new attractions and increasing its fish species count to nearly 100.
What’s it about? The revamped aquarium will feature a 70,000-litre tunnel aquarium and a 90,000-litre Koi fish pond. Visitors can look forward to interactive experiences, a museum, and a training centre. The Koi pond and feeding station are expected to be major attractions, while the tunnel aquarium will immerse visitors in a 360-degree aquatic experience.
- Nine theme-based aquariums will be displayed on the first floor, with an ornamental fish museum and training centre on the ground floor.
- The second floor will host a species-based aquarium with over 70 species, replicating their natural habitats.
Ticket prices to increase: The renovation is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project with Namma Bengaluru Aquarium Limited. The project is 90% complete, with an anticipated opening soon. However, entry fees will increase significantly due to the PPP model, with adult tickets rising from ₹20 to ₹80 on weekdays and ₹100 on weekends, and children’s tickets from ₹10 to ₹25 and ₹40, respectively.
📊 Today’s Poll
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Which comic books do you like: DC or Marvel Comics?
- I like DC.
- I like Marvel Comics.
❓ Today’s Question
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What is your pet name?
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🗞️ In other news…
- During peak hours, the BMRCL will operate short-distance Metro trains at three-minute intervals.
- Justice Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
- The schedule of the Vande Bharat Express train running between Coimbatore and Bengaluru has been revised.
- Toyota Centres for Excellence will be established in all government engineering colleges in Karnataka.
- The IISc Open Day amazed fans of science and technology.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!