Citizens for Bengaluru

'Opportunity cost' is defined as "cost of a missed opportunity". We may never know the opportunity cost of missing out on suburban train in Bengaluru. The amazing video about Mumbai local aka suburban train is now going viral. People heard about Mumbai local and many experienced it, but the video shows what a powerful system they have built over decades. I remember watching those old Hindi movies where the actors are seen cutting vegetables on their briefcases while commuting! Our campaign #ModaluTrainBeku #ElevatedCorridorBeda this past weekend and that viral video resulted in renewed interest in suburban trains - what Citizens…

“Why don't you leave the government alone? Let them do what they want. Why interfere?" Engaging with public sentiment on the proposed elevated corridors in Bangalore recently, some people asked such questions. Let *them* do what *they* want? Why *interfere?* *Leave them alone?* This reveals an elementary misunderstanding with who we are and what India is. The elected are supposed to execute what *we* want, not what they want. 1. How do they know what we want? Due process. India and it's states have established processes for input & feedback gathering from the public for planning, decision making on large…

Congratulations to Namma Metro on completing one year of service on Phase I. Phase I has been a boon to (South-West) Bengaluru and with the addition of two new coaches to every train, it will lead to even more passengers using metro. Our gratitude to all the staff of Namma Metro for working hard to make this milestone happen. We all know that the root cause of traffic problems in Bengaluru is the massive growth and lack of corresponding investment in public transport - other big cities had multiple modes of mass public transport - local trains in Mumbai, Chennai…

Congratulations to Namma Metro on completing one year of service on Phase I. Phase I has been a boon to (South-West) Bengaluru and with the addition of two new coaches to every train, it will lead to even more passengers using metro. Our gratitude to all the staff of Namma Metro for working hard to make this milestone happen. We all know that the root cause of traffic problems in Bengaluru is the massive growth and lack of corresponding investment in public transport - other big cities had multiple modes of mass public transport - local trains in Mumbai, Chennai…

The Beku Beda Santhe held in Freedom Park on October 15th, organised by the Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and numerous RWAs and groups representing  civic, social, children’s and underprivileged interests.  More than 1500 citizens participated and cast their votes, for what they wanted and what they did not want of the city administration.  The objective was to set the agenda for our city through a bottom up and inclusive, open public forum. Subsequent to the Santhe, CfB volunteers worked on categorizing and consolidating the thousands of demands into a short list ‘Beku Beda Santhe Citizens Manifesto for Bengaluru’. This is not a…

The Beku Beda Santhe held in Freedom Park on October 15th, organised by the Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and numerous RWAs and groups representing  civic, social, children’s and underprivileged interests.  More than 1500 citizens participated and cast their votes, for what they wanted and what they did not want of the city administration.  The objective was to set the agenda for our city through a bottom up and inclusive, open public forum. Subsequent to the Santhe, CfB volunteers worked on categorizing and consolidating the thousands of demands into a short list ‘Beku Beda Santhe Citizens Manifesto for Bengaluru’. This is not a…

We saw a jostling, zealous crowd #ForTheSakeofBengaluru on Oct 15th, Sunday at Freedom Park. A numerous and highly diverse people cast their demands on the Beku Beda wall, and ballot boxes and brought demands as lists from schools, colleges, RWA, civic and social organizations. These demands must shape Bengaluru. The city must become "of the people", not of political whim! Accordingly, we will have a #BekuBedaSanthe demand consolidation event on the very special Rajyotsava day. Volunteers are invited on Wednesday Nov 1st to Loyola Hall, St Joseph’s College, Langford Road from 3 PM-5 PM. The idea is to determine what…

We saw a jostling, zealous crowd #ForTheSakeofBengaluru on Oct 15th, Sunday at Freedom Park. A numerous and highly diverse people cast their demands on the Beku Beda wall, and ballot boxes and brought demands as lists from schools, colleges, RWA, civic and social organizations. These demands must shape Bengaluru. The city must become "of the people", not of political whim! Accordingly, we will have a #BekuBedaSanthe demand consolidation event on the very special Rajyotsava day. Volunteers are invited on Wednesday Nov 1st to Loyola Hall, St Joseph’s College, Langford Road from 3 PM-5 PM. The idea is to determine what…

A large number of civic and social organizations of Bengaluru are coming together to organize a unique ‘Beku Beda Santhe’ on October 15th, 2017 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Human Chain for the #steelflyoverbeda. That campaign saw a  saw massive outpouring of citizens, democratically expressing their demand. The #SteelFlyoverBeda movement inspired citizens to come together and exercise their right to actively participate in governance. The “Beku Beda Santhe” will serve as a platform for citizens from across Bengaluru to express what they want for their area and city (ಬೆೇಕು) and what they do not want for their area…

A large number of civic and social organizations of Bengaluru are coming together to organize a unique ‘Beku Beda Santhe’ on October 15th, 2017 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Human Chain for the #steelflyoverbeda. That campaign saw a  saw massive outpouring of citizens, democratically expressing their demand. The #SteelFlyoverBeda movement inspired citizens to come together and exercise their right to actively participate in governance. The “Beku Beda Santhe” will serve as a platform for citizens from across Bengaluru to express what they want for their area and city (ಬೆೇಕು) and what they do not want for their area…