Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: High: 34 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Partly cloudy sky.
🧐 Did you know? Veerendra Patil from the Congress party had the largest gap between two terms (over eighteen years) as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
📱 Snapchat’s popularity in Bengaluru
Snapchat reports that 85% of its users in Bengaluru use the app daily, with a significant presence in the Indian market since 2019.
Regular users: Lakshya Malu from Snapchat’s Indian market development team highlighted the app’s success in Bengaluru, noting that 80% of users utilize Snapchat lenses for greetings and festival celebrations. The app has garnered 200 million users in India, with 120 million regularly using features like Story and Spotlight.
- Snapchat’s Spotlight feature is particularly popular in India, with users spending three times more time on it compared to other countries.
- Snapchat reaches over 75% of 13-34 year-olds in more than 20 countries.
Diverse base: Despite a flat revenue of $4.6 billion in 2023, Snapchat’s growth has been significant outside of North America and Europe. The company continues to attract users in regions with lower advertising revenue, indicating a diverse global user base.
🚧 Travelator and skywalk at Silk Board junction
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announces plans to install a travelator and skywalk for seamless connectivity between Yellow and Blue Lines at Central Silk Board junction.
Transport hub: As part of its Phase-II projects, BMRCL aims to transform the Central Silk Board junction into a major transport hub. A 250-metre-long skywalk with an integrated travelator will connect the Central Silk Board Station on the Yellow Line with the Blue Line. This initiative marks the first travelator installation within Namma Metro. Additionally, the Silk Board junction will feature two bus stations, pick-up and drop-off bays, and multi-level parking in collaboration with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation.
- The construction of three ramps at the junction is nearing completion, expected by the end of May, to ease traffic flow from Jayanagar-BTM Layout towards HSR Layout and Electronics City.
- The 18.82-km Yellow Line metro route from R.V. Road to Bommasandra, with 16 stations, is set to commence commercial operations by the end of this year.
Connections: The Yellow Line will intersect with the Green Line at R.V. Road Station and the Pink Line at Jayadeva Hospital Station. It features a metro-cum-road flyover and five loops and ramps to reduce congestion at Central Silk Board Junction, with construction in advanced stages.
🇮🇹 Celebrating Italian Design in Bengaluru
The Italian consulate-general organizes MiniSalone, a three-day exhibition showcasing Italian design products, ahead of the Salone del Mobile 2024 in Milan.
What’s it about? The MiniSalone exhibition at the Bangalore International Centre is a nod to Milan’s Salone del Mobile, featuring a collection of design products from local importers of Italian brands. This initiative is part of Italian Design Day 2024, aimed at promoting Italian design abroad and boosting exports and trade. The exhibition includes high-end brands like Porro, Poltrona, and Arketipo, offering a glimpse into the world of Italian design to Bengaluru’s enthusiasts.
- Salone del Mobile, starting in 1961, is set for its 62nd edition in April 2024, showcasing a range of innovative furnishing products.
- The MiniSalone serves as a prelude to Milan Design Week, emphasizing Italian craftsmanship and design.
Expanding scale: The exhibition has attracted a diverse audience, including both design professionals and laymen, highlighting the interest in Italian design in Bengaluru. Organizers and participants hope to expand the scale of the event in the future, fostering a community around Italian design and craftsmanship in the city.
🚰 BWSSB mandates aerators for bulk water users
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has made it mandatory for bulk water users to install aerators in taps by the end of March, amid severe water shortages.
What’s it about? In response to the ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru, the BWSSB has introduced a measure requiring commercial establishments, apartments, restaurants, luxury hotels, industries, and other public areas to install aerators in their taps. These devices regulate water flow and can save up to 60-85% of water.
- A 10-day voluntary window for installation is provided from March 21 to 31, after which non-compliant buildings will face mandatory installation.
- The city is facing a significant water shortage, exacerbated by low rainfall in the past monsoon season, resulting in around 6,900 borewells drying up.
Reducing wasteful usage: The BWSSB’s decision to mandate aerators is part of a broader effort to conserve water and address the scarcity issue in Bengaluru. The initiative aims to reduce wasteful water usage and ensure a more sustainable supply for the city’s residents and businesses.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Did you follow the recent women’s IPL?
- I followed the recent women’s IPL.
- I didn’t follow the recent women’s IPL.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Who is your favourite player from the women’s RCB team?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Ecologist Harini Nagendra states that the development of Bengaluru as a city is closely tied to the development of its numerous lakes.
- Cropin, based in Bengaluru, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AWS India to develop solutions for food insecurity.
- The BWSSB has imposed restrictions on water usage for large-scale Holi celebrations.
- Air India has introduced a quicker check-in process for passengers on the Bengaluru-San Francisco route.
- Science Gallery Bengaluru is dedicated to making science accessible beyond academic institutions.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I use a Windows laptop: 71.4% 🏆
- I use a Macbook: 28.6%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
How many books on average do you read in a year?
Dharna: “20”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!