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Traffic due to rains result in losses
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Good morning, Bengaluru!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Mainly cloudy with expected thunderstorms, especially during the latter part of the day.

🧐 Did you know? “Government Work Is God’s Work” has been inscribed on the front facade of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. It is written in both Kannada and English.


👁️‍🗨️ Device for visually challenged in Central Library

(Image credits: Innovation Hub’s Website)

The Central Library located in Cubbon Park has installed a device that will allow visually impaired persons to read books in 8 different languages.

The device: The URead is a device that can scan books and printed documents and read them aloud to visually challenged people. It recognises seven Indian languages including Tamil, Marathi, English, and Kannada, among others. Since the Braille literacy rate is in the single digits in the country, this is a revolutionary device.

  • The population of visually impaired people in the country is 92 lakh.
  • Braille is difficult to learn, and there is a lack of braille books in higher education.

Huge step forward: The URead device has given visually challenged people a solution to the learning barriers. The device works once plugged into any regular wall socket and does not require an internet connection. Rotary Club of Bangalore West is planning to distribute it to blind schools across the state.


🏚️ IT firms incur huge losses due to traffic

Bengaluru IT firms have reportedly incurred a loss of ₹225 crores as workers were stuck in traffic amidst floods for 5 hours on August 30.

Story so far: IT firms have blamed the poor infrastructure of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) for their losses. The Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) has urged the need to redevelop the city in a letter written to Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai. The problem area stretches for about 17 km, from Krishnarajapuram to the Central Silk Board.

  • This stretch provides direct and indirect employment to over one million people.
  • The lack of focus on the development of infrastructure may affect the growth of the city.

Bringing down efficiency: The President of ORRCA claimed that ORR IT generates about 32% of Bengaluru’s revenue which is around $22 billion per annum, posing as the highest tax contributor. Due to the inadequate infrastructure, member companies have had to switch back to working from home.


🛰️ Tie-ups in Bengaluru Space Expo

The inaugural session of the 7th Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX) saw the tie-up of many Indian and Australian companies to collaborate in the private space sector.

Story so far: In line with India’s recent space reforms, the expo aims at the promotion of the private space industry. Six MoUs were signed between Indian and Australian companies that are collaborating in different areas.

  • Mineral exploration in space, supporting agriculture and defence industries, reducing the environmental impact of space exploration and other areas are being looked at.
  • The seventh edition of the BSX was organised by the CII in collaboration with ISRO, NSIL (New Space India Ltd) and IN-SPACE (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center).

Need for private sector: The ISRO Chairman S Somanath spoke at the event stating that NSIL should get more launch vehicles from the private sector as this will lead to innovation and reduce costs. He said that the government has to be an anchor customer for private companies initially to encourage the industry.


⛲ Water fountain project to take off

The BBMP is inviting tenders to set up water fountains around the city.

Story so far: The BBMP floated the idea of setting up water fountains around the city three years ago, and the project is finally taking off. The civic body is inviting tenders for the installation of fountains at 40 major junctions around the city.

  • The water fountains are a part of the action plan drawn up by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the BBMP.
  • It was recommended by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the civic body is planning to use treated water at the fountains.

Controlling air pollution: The primary use of these fountains is to reduce air pollution while also enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the fountains will be designed based on the importance of the junctions and the attractions surrounding them.


📊 Today’s Poll

(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)

Given a choice, who would you want to be?

  • I want to be the President of India.
  • I want to be the Prime Minister of India.

❓ Today’s Question

(Only subscribers can submit their answers)

What is your favourite memory from school?

Reply to this email with your answers.


🗞️ In other news…

  • Non-motorised transport (NMT) has lost its appeal and importance as income levels rise, leading to severe traffic problems in the city.
  • The introduction of NEP placed the burden of implementation on teachers, and they continue to grapple with this as there is a lack of appropriate infrastructure.
  • In an attempt to manage the waste processing plant, the BBMP has constructed closed sheds on 5 acres of area with a concrete bed to prevent leakage.
  • The unrelenting rain has created havoc across the city with experts stating that floods are increasing due to rapid and unplanned urbanisation.
  • A proposal by the BBMP to axe 221 trees for the construction of new railway lines has invited strong objections from the public.

🛋️ Local Lounge

Yesterday’s Poll Results:

  • I have watched multiple movies on the same day in the theatre: 30%
  • I haven’t watched multiple movies on the same day in the theatre: 70% 🏆

Answers to Yesterday’s Question:

What’s your best memory of watching a sunrise or a sunset?

Sriranga: “Sunrise in Tiger Hills, Darjeeling is an epic experience. The rays of the sun hit the Kanchenjunga mountain. The entire mountain is illuminated in gold. Can never forget it.”

That’s it for today. Have a great day!

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