Articles by Meera K

Our Forward150 federation is working on getting khatas for our properties. Each apartment or layout group, which have either the Panchayat Khata or Occupancy Certificate from BBMP/BDA, has formed a team and are applying for the khata together. They have been assured support by their MLA Arvind Limbavali (Mahadevapura constituency) in their drive to get the papers without any bribes. They start with one member visiting the Registrar office and applying for No encumberance certificate for all owners of their community apartment/layout. Another member visits the lawyer to get the documents notarised. Till date many groups have submitted the documents in batches. Here is the story shared…

Last year, my son played Holi and his skin was tinted green and pink for days. Some of his friends broke out in rashes or got wheezing. So this time, my neighbours and I are quite keen on making Holi safer. Holi colours. File pic: Rajeev R. Quoting Krish Ashok, a blogger, Holi is a "spring festival where people throw coloured powders that symbolically contain Neem, Kumkum and Turmeric but really contain Lead Oxide, Copper Sulphate and Aluminium Bromide. Yet another fine example of the great Indian tradition of carrying forward the ritual meaning while leaving behind the rational significance…

Last year, my son played Holi and his skin was tinted green and pink for days. Some of his friends broke out in rashes or got wheezing. So this time, my neighbours and I are quite keen on making Holi safer. Holi colours. File pic: Rajeev R. Quoting Krish Ashok, a blogger, Holi is a "spring festival where people throw coloured powders that symbolically contain Neem, Kumkum and Turmeric but really contain Lead Oxide, Copper Sulphate and Aluminium Bromide. Yet another fine example of the great Indian tradition of carrying forward the ritual meaning while leaving behind the rational significance…

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. In Bengaluru, the ban will be in effect from today.Banning thin plastic bags and charging consumers is only the first step. BBMP has announced plans to setup waste segregation and plastic collection centres in ward. Some points covered by the centre's notification.• Plastic carry bags shall either be white or only with those pigments and colourants which are in conformity with the bar prescribed by  the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). • Plastic carry bags shall not be less than 40 microns in thickness.…

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. In Bengaluru, the ban will be in effect from today.Banning thin plastic bags and charging consumers is only the first step. BBMP has announced plans to setup waste segregation and plastic collection centres in ward. Some points covered by the centre's notification.• Plastic carry bags shall either be white or only with those pigments and colourants which are in conformity with the bar prescribed by  the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). • Plastic carry bags shall not be less than 40 microns in thickness.…

A new firestation has come up on Sarjapur Road opposite Kaikondrahalli Lake. The firestation has been built by CREDAI, in a Public-private partnership (PPP) model, on government land of about an acre. B K Hampagol, Deputy Director (Technical), Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services says his department did not have to spend any money. Firestation on Sarjapur Road. Pic: Meera K. Two fire engines and about 14 firemen, will be stationed here initially. The department plans to purchase more vehicles in the future and station more personnel.The firestation has been ready from late last year but could not be inauguration due…

A new firestation has come up on Sarjapur Road opposite Kaikondrahalli Lake. The firestation has been built by CREDAI, in a Public-private partnership (PPP) model, on government land of about an acre. B K Hampagol, Deputy Director (Technical), Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services says his department did not have to spend any money. Firestation on Sarjapur Road. Pic: Meera K. Two fire engines and about 14 firemen, will be stationed here initially. The department plans to purchase more vehicles in the future and station more personnel.The firestation has been ready from late last year but could not be inauguration due…

Here is the press release from the Save Bellandur Lake organising committee. Pictures from the run are attached. A hundred odd people assembled on Outer Ring Road in front of Pratham Motors, at the start of the Save Bellandur Lake Run. Pic: Meera K. Jagannath and Rammurthi addressing the participants of the Save Bellandur Lake Run. Pic: Meera K. The stink and the sludge of the Bellandur Lake could not be missed. Pic: Meera K. Participants braved the hot sun and stink of the lake. Pic: Meera K. There are still a few fields left beside the lake, on the…

Here is the press release from the Save Bellandur Lake organising committee. Pictures from the run are attached. A hundred odd people assembled on Outer Ring Road in front of Pratham Motors, at the start of the Save Bellandur Lake Run. Pic: Meera K. Jagannath and Rammurthi addressing the participants of the Save Bellandur Lake Run. Pic: Meera K. The stink and the sludge of the Bellandur Lake could not be missed. Pic: Meera K. Participants braved the hot sun and stink of the lake. Pic: Meera K. There are still a few fields left beside the lake, on the…

A group of environmental and social activists are organising the Bellandur Lake Run this Sunday, February 6th at 10 am. This run is a demand from citizens for government action and it is also intended to spread awareness of the situation.This event is for all of us in Bangalore, our children, our health and well being. We can get back our wonderful lakes, not to mention valuable drinking water for the future. The froth from the polluted lake flowing outwards, and the waste/garbage that has accumulated from the flow. Not a single bird of any sort was to be found…