Good morning, Bengaluru!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny with clear skies.
🧐 Did you know? Shah Chimanlal Doongaji, a Marwari businessman from Bengaluru, produced Sati Sulochana, the first Kannada-language talkie film. When it aired in 1934, it ran houseful in Bengaluru for six weeks, with people coming on bullock carts to watch it.
🏛️ A long-standing symbol of Karnataka
The Vidhana Soudha was built amidst much criticism about it being an unjustifiable expense.
Story so far: While Bengaluru’s skyline is ever-changing, some things resolutely stand the test of time. The Vidhana Soudha is a moment historically inscribed with Karnataka’s journey from the erstwhile princely state of Mysore to a modern-day state. It’s also connected to the story of Kengal Hanumanthaiah, the second chief minister of the state of Mysore.
- While its construction started in 1952, the much more modest idea behind it was conceived in 1951. It was originally supposed to be situated where Cubbon Park currently rests.
- Hanumanthaiah, the subsequent CM, added grandeur to construction plans. It was built in the Neo-Dravidian style with granite mined from the quarries of Magadi.
Tell me more? Hanumanthaiah would disguise himself to oversee the construction. Interestingly, out of the 6,000 workers employed in the construction work, around 5,000 were convicts.
🥵 Pourakarmikas want half-days
With the likelihood of intense summers growing stronger, Pourakarmikas demand shorter workdays and oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Story so far: When heat waves hit, everyone suffers – but not equally. With temperatures skyrocketing in Karnataka, Pourakarmikas, who work in the open, are asking the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for half days until the heat subsides.
- Currently, the Pourakarmikas work from 6 am – 2 pm. They demand that their workdays be limited to 11 am in the summer. They’ve also asked the Palike for ORS and buttermilk.
- They also demand that the state government execute the Karnataka Heat Wave Action Plan drafted in 2022. It has region-specific provisions for heatwaves.
Why though? According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the early summers hitting many parts of the country are indicative of heat waves coming soon. Currently, the Pourakarmikas don’t have drinking water facilities and buy their own water.
🇬🇧 British Award for Bengaluru teacher
Bengaluru’s Mattur Nandakumara received an honorary British award conferred on foreign nationals.
Story so far: About 45 years ago, when Mattur Nandakumara became a Sanskrit teacher at a high school in Bengaluru, he had no clue what was to unfold. The Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was recently awarded an honorary ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE) title.
- After King Charles III sanctioned the 70-year-old’s name and he received the title, Nandakumara asserted he was a proud Kannadiga.
- He was recognised as the United Kingdom’s top 100 most-influential Asians for his services to teaching and making India’s art, culture, and philosophy accessible at the Bhavan.
The journey: After starting his job as a teacher, Nandakumara’s uncle called him to London to pursue a PhD. There, he joined the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and began teaching Sanskrit to the students at the Bhavan.
🚆 Kashi Darshan trains cancelled
The Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan trains scheduled for April stand cancelled.
Story so far: The Karnataka Government has cancelled two trips of Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan special trains for pilgrims due to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) denial, per the model code of conduct.
- On March 25, the Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Institutions began online booking for the trains going to Varanasi-Ayodhya-Prayagraj from various parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru.
- Following ECI’s decision, the government has cancelled both trips scheduled for the month of April.
Tell me more? In November 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bharat Gaurav Tourist train from Bengaluru. It’s a joint service by the Karnataka Government and IRCTC. Discounts worth ₹5,000 were offered on the tickets.
📊 Today’s Poll
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Have you ever been on a silent retreat?
- Yes, I’ve tried a silent retreat.
- No, I haven’t tried a silent retreat.
❓ Today’s Question
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What’s a lesson you’ve learned from a past mistake?
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🗞️ In other news…
- The BBMP targets 75% voter turnout in Karnataka polls.
- Frazer Town residents oppose ‘Ramzan Food Mela’.
- A new member joins Bannerghatta’s zebra club.
- Experts believe the entry of untreated sewage into Seetharampalya Lake is behind fish deaths.
- Read about rising knee surgery cases among the city’s youth.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!