Good morning, Bengaluru!
☁️ Today’s weather: It is going to be generally cloudy.
🧐 Did you know? The Azim Premji University in Bengaluru was founded in 2010.
🌆 Unboxing BLR Habba 2023
Bengaluru is set to host Unboxing BLR Habba 2023, a cultural celebration with over 300 events.
What’s it about? Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced ‘Unboxing BLR Habba 2023’, an extensive festival set to occur in Bengaluru from December 1-11.
- The festival aims to highlight Bengaluru’s rich heritage beyond its renowned tech industry.
- Supported by the government, it’s a community-driven effort to establish Bengaluru as a key cultural destination in South Asia.
Over 300 activities: This event will include a wide array of over 300 activities, spanning arts, culture, technology, and more, aimed at showcasing the city’s diverse cultural and historical legacy.
☁️ Climate Action Plan
Bengaluru unveils a comprehensive climate action plan.
What’s it about? The Bengaluru Climate Action Plan, steered by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, outlines 269 actions to combat climate change effects in the city. With the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) leading 143 of these, the plan addresses urban heat, flooding, droughts, thunderstorms, lightning, and air pollution.
- Bengaluru, a co-lead in the Global Air Quality Network, aligns with C40 cities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Key sectors include energy, transportation, waste management, air quality, water, and urban planning.
A global initiative: As part of the C40 global network, Bengaluru is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 2030. The World Resources Institute (WRI) was appointed as a consultant to draft the city’s climate action plan for 2050.
- The WRI team, consulting with over 25 stakeholders including BESCOM, BMTC, BMRCL, BWSSB, and others, aims to develop strategies across various sectors to address the city’s unique environmental challenges and work towards a sustainable future.
🌲 Forests of Life
Children engage with nature at APU’s climate festival.
What’s it about? Azim Premji University (APU) in Bengaluru hosted the ‘Forests of Life’ festival, a 10-day event focusing on climate change and the wonders of forests, especially for children from marginalized communities. The festival, which began on November 2, attracted 1,500 to 1,800 children daily, aiming to educate young minds about environmental issues through a blend of science, art, and storytelling.
- The event featured intern-led exhibitions and talks, with stories from 150 different forests across India.
- The festival emphasized indigenous connections to forests and discussed human-animal relationships and urban ecology.
More engagements: A Yakshagana performance, dance shows, plays, and workshops further enriched the event, engaging children in environmental conversations and sparking their interest in nature and climate change.
🏫 WSU eyes Bengaluru campus
Western Sydney University plans Bengaluru agricultural institute.
What’s it about? Western Sydney University (WSU) expressed interest in establishing a dedicated agricultural science campus in Bengaluru. This initiative was discussed during a visit by the Australian Consul General, Hilary McGeachy, to the Karnataka Higher Education Council, aiming to strengthen educational ties between Australia and Karnataka.
- WSU aims to inaugurate this campus by 2025, marking it as the third Australian university to be established in India.
- The proposal emphasises forming academic alliances in agricultural science, enhancing WSU’s global educational footprint.
Mutually beneficial: The plan requires approvals from Indian regulatory bodies like UGC and AICTE. The focus is on establishing a mutually beneficial academic and research partnership, following the model of existing collaborations, such as those between Athens University and the Department of Technical Education in Karnataka.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Catch Thaikkudam Bridge, Agam and more bands perform live at the Indiegaga Music and Arts Festival this weekend.
- Ronan Keating is set to perform live at the Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru this Saturday.
- Groove to nostalgic music performed by Shaan live at Phoenix Market City this Saturday.
- Watch the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia at the Sunburn Union this Sunday.
- Improve your posture, coordination and breathing by attending a workshop on the Alexander Technique at Shoonya Mari this weekend.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I have purchased green crackers: 28.6%
- I haven’t purchased green crackers: 71.4% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What would a book or movie about Bengaluru be called?
Prasad: “Nostalgia”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!