Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌦️ Today’s weather: Thundershowers and cloudy skies.
🧐 Did you know? Rajajinagar was named after C Rajagopalachari, India’s first Indian Governor-General. It was initially planned as an industrial suburb and was formed out of the villages of Kethmaranahalli and Shivanahalli in the 1950s.
🔭 City of stargazers
Stargazing has reached new levels of popularity, higher than pre-pandemic numbers.
Rising footfall: The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, once a cherished childhood memory for many, experienced a decline in visitors over the years. However, the post-Covid-19 era brought about a positive change. The footfall at the planetarium has significantly increased since last year, reaching around 3.9-4 lakh visitors in 2022, compared to the pre-pandemic figure of 2.5 lakh.
- The current financial year has already witnessed 1 lakh visitors, indicating continued success.
- This resurgence in interest reflects a renewed fascination with the solar system and highlights the enduring appeal of the planetarium experience.
Fewer school tours: The number of school visits to the planetarium has taken a dip recently. While the number of children visiting with their parents remains steady, educational tours from schools have decreased. Schools have been focused on academic catch-up and increased workload, but they are constructing a new building with more seating and displays.
- The planetarium plans to initiate a program for primary school students and hopes for increased group visits from schools this academic year.
✨ Tare Zameen Par, a mobile planetarium
Tare Zameen Par ensures that the stars are only a call away from your doorstep.
Honouring tradition: It’s not just the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium that’s raking in the moolah. Mobile planetariums too are in high demand due to people’s renewed interest in stargazing. Taare Zameen Par, a mobile and inflatable planetarium operated by Dinesh Badagandi, the founder and CEO of Varnaaz Technologies, has experienced a dramatic shift in fortunes.
- Badagandi had planned to retire and relocate to his hometown, Hubballi. However, due to the high demand for the mobile planetarium in schools and science associations post-COVID-19, he stayed.
- It brought a renewed sense of purpose and opportunity to Taare Zameen Par, making it an integral part of the astronomy education landscape in Bengaluru and 11 districts across Karnataka.
More funding: Taare Zameen Par and seven other mobile planetariums in Karnataka received funding under the “Shala Angaladalli Taralaya” initiative, but funding stopped after a government change in 2018. With a new government in power, hopes are high for renewed funding to establish a planetarium in each district.
🥭 Last day of Mango mela
The Mango Mela and Jackfruit Fest at Lalbagh has been extended to June 21 due to thin crowds.
Story so far: The annual Mango Mela and Jackfruit Fest held at Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden by the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation has been disappointing this year due to a lack of customers and visitors. The fair, which returned after two years, has been extended till today due to poor business and farmer requests.
- The fest was supposed to wrap up by June 11. Farmers reveal that the size of the crowds showing up at the mango mela has halved.
- Farmers attribute it to delayed scheduling caused by the May Assembly elections and insufficient support from the state government.
Tell me more? Usually, farmers from all corners of the state convene in Bengaluru this time around to set up their stalls. They sell many mango varieties like Sakkargutti, Malgova, Banganapalli, and Kalapad.
📹 Drone traffic surveillance
The Bengaluru Traffic Police will deploy drones at eight highly congested junctions.
Experiment details: In an experimental move, the BTP conducted a trial of drone surveillance at Hebbal junction on Monday. They continued testing the drone cameras at Marathahalli junction on Tuesday. Currently, the BTP possess two drone cameras deployed to monitor traffic density. It helps the BTP to familiarise themselves with the operations.
- MN Anucheth, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), stated that the purpose was to understand traffic requirements and become proficient with the technology.
- The traffic police aim to deploy drone cameras at eight highly crowded junctions across the city to monitor vehicular movement and implement decongestion measures.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever operated a drone?
- Yes, I have operated a drone.
- No, I haven’t operated a drone.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
If all Bengaluru localities were a person, which locality would you never date, and why?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bengaluru police hold an awareness campaign on women’s safety.
- Amid protests, the BBMP carried out a stormwater drain encroachment clearance drive.
- Pizza Hut has opened an outlet at Neeladri Road in Bengaluru.
- Registrations for the Gruha Jyothi scheme doubled on Day 2.
- Karnataka trade body members say industries will be killed if the high power tariff continues.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have travelled on a Vande Bharat train: 11.1%
- I haven’t travelled on a Vande Bharat train: 88.9% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!