Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Some hazy sunshine.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru’s Hard Rock Cafe is built inside a Tudor-style colonial-era building called The Bangalore Tract and Book Society. The building that housed a bible society is now one of the most popular places for dinner and drinks.
🏊 More open-water events
Bengalurean swimmers talk about more open water events in Karnataka.
Story so far: In the recently concluded 11th edition of the Goa Swimathon, Bengaluru’s swimmers prevailed over the 700 participants at Betalbatim beach in South Goa. The Bengalureans won with 50 podium finishes. The 2 km winner Ravish Rao believes organising such swimming events would benefit the Karnataka state.
- Participants reveal that swimming in open waters is starkly different from swimming in pools. The Bengalureans found it more challenging and satisfying to swim here.
- Elias Patel, the swimathon’s Director, mentioned that the organisers are looking for new locations for future editions of the swimming event. The prospective location needs to be clear of rip currents, submerged rocks, sandbars, and heavy marine traffic.
Why it matters? Mangaluru and Malpe in Karnataka host a handful of open-water swimming events. However, since the state is experiencing an uptick in collective interest in the sport, the events might prove too few and diminutive.
Problems: Swimming in open waters is considered challenging because one has to battle tides and currents while attempting to come out on top. Besides this, the water can be turbulent.
🚫 Don’t colour animals this Holi
The state’s animal welfare board issues an order against colouring animals on Holi.
Story so far: With Holi celebrations approaching this week, the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) issued an order requesting that people refrain from applying gulal and other colours on animals.
- The order stated that the authorities and concerned citizens could pursue legal action against the violators under the Animal Cruelty Act 1960. Thus, citizens should take the necessary safeguards.
- KAWB’s order argued that many animals are harmed during Holi celebrations, either directly or indirectly.
Why it matters? Holi colours are made from chemicals particularly harmful to the animals’ skin. It may cause allergic reactions or blindness if it makes contact with their eyes. When animals like dogs, cats, and cows will clean themselves with their tongue, they inevitably ingest the harmful chemicals.
🌊 Byatarayanapura lake sold
As per a Deccan Herald report, the Byatarayanapura lake has been converted for realty use.
Story so far: The Byatarayanapura lake in North Bengaluru was allegedly sold for real estate development in the area. Over the course of 25 years, deputy commissioners have permitted converting the lake bed into land for residential construction while preserving its existence in the revenue maps.
- The Revenue Department’s survey section reveals that the lake bed was mapped in the Survey No 75 of Byatarayanapura hobli. Current revenue maps reflect the same.
- Six sale deeds evince the land transfer from different owners to Shyamaraju, whose name currently appears in the RTC records. Some reveal that they had owned the land for decades prior to the sale.
Why it matters? If the reports are true, the case requires a complete audit of the RTC records, mutation documents, and conversion orders. This might prove difficult because pre-2008 records are difficult to verify.
🎵 Malayali Rhapsody
City-based musician’s Malayali song is finally out.
Story so far: Sharath Narayan is a city-based musician whose popularity has soared indubitably in the past decade. During the COVID-19 lockdown, his separation from Kochi, his native city, compelled him to record his first-ever Malayalam track Anthinilavin.
- Ever since he was a kid, Narayan used to train in Carnatic music which developed the desire to make music in regional languages. The musician is currently training in the Hindustani tradition.
- The Malayalam song revolves around the love story of a person smitten with someone through the moon’s metaphor.
Critical reception: The four-minute track, written by Vinayak Sasikumar, has received an overwhelmingly positive reception. While some are still listening to it on repeat, others have had time to experience the nostalgia it evokes.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ridden a Yulu?
- Yes, I have not ridden a Yulu.
- No, I have not ridden a Yulu.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s a quote you stand by?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A Karnataka businessman used a smartwatch camera to record a ‘bribe’ for a BJP legislator’s son.
- Here’s a piece about photographer Akanksha Shyam returning to Bengaluru for work.
- 600 people cycle to spread awareness about kidney health.
- The BBMP has left open a wide drain on the road in Rajajinagar.
- The Namma Bengaluru Foundation has launched a new campaign to ease traffic problems.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I would rather live with chronic shoe bites: 28.6%
- I would rather live with chronic paper cuts: 71.4% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Rahul: “Anywhere my wife goes”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!