Civic

Pic courtesy: Information Department, Govt of Karnataka Video conference between courts and jails Acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee inaugurated the pilot of high definition video conference between courts and jails at Bengaluru as a part of Digital India Week. The pilot launch includes two courts — City Civil Court and 1st Additional Court Bangalore and district court, Mangalore and six district jails, namely, Mysuru, Dharwad, Kalburgi, Belgavi, Vijayapura and Bellary. The project will provide high definition video conferencing facility to all jails and courts in the state of Karnataka, which is perceived to be…

A week has gone by since I last wrote and about six days have gone by since I last heard from BBMP. BBMP called me several times last Friday asking me if the work was done — and in spite of numerous assurances — no work has been done.  The BBMP Sahaaya complaint number is 10506777 and the last SMS communication I received, informing me that the complaint has been 'assigned' was on June 23rd. I also have a Malleshwaram Sahaaya complaint number - 2760084. However, in this case, the SMS only says that the complaint has been created.  It is…

A week has gone by since I last wrote and about six days have gone by since I last heard from BBMP. BBMP called me several times last Friday asking me if the work was done — and in spite of numerous assurances — no work has been done.  The BBMP Sahaaya complaint number is 10506777 and the last SMS communication I received, informing me that the complaint has been 'assigned' was on June 23rd. I also have a Malleshwaram Sahaaya complaint number - 2760084. However, in this case, the SMS only says that the complaint has been created.  It is…

A night on the street What is the power of the common man? A collaborative and inspiring set of people helped fix the potholed road that had been dug up for 6 months. Till then, local residents and daily commuters were facing severe issues due to big potholes. When most of Bangalore was sleeping, this group was fixing potholes at Nellurhalli junction. Ack : Nallurhalli Rising, a Whitefield Rising initiative, Sumadhara builders,BBMP, WR champion Anu Parekh Plant a tree Tree planting in the greater Whitefield area is on a roll. After the success at Sheelavanthakere, ITPL is the next stop.…

A night on the street What is the power of the common man? A collaborative and inspiring set of people helped fix the potholed road that had been dug up for 6 months. Till then, local residents and daily commuters were facing severe issues due to big potholes. When most of Bangalore was sleeping, this group was fixing potholes at Nellurhalli junction. Ack : Nallurhalli Rising, a Whitefield Rising initiative, Sumadhara builders,BBMP, WR champion Anu Parekh Plant a tree Tree planting in the greater Whitefield area is on a roll. After the success at Sheelavanthakere, ITPL is the next stop.…

A few days ago I noticed that the streetlights and new LED streetlamps on 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, were not working properly. I thought I should complain and I did so on several fronts. 1. I complained to the BBMP Assistant Officer for Malleshwaram by email and `WhatsApp' 2. I wrote to the MLA - Ashwath Narayan 3. I also filed a complaint on 'malleshwaram.sahaaya.in' I got a call from someone a few days later but it so happened that the LED lights were working at that point. The streetlights were still not working. A few days later, on Monday, June…

A few days ago I noticed that the streetlights and new LED streetlamps on 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, were not working properly. I thought I should complain and I did so on several fronts. 1. I complained to the BBMP Assistant Officer for Malleshwaram by email and `WhatsApp' 2. I wrote to the MLA - Ashwath Narayan 3. I also filed a complaint on 'malleshwaram.sahaaya.in' I got a call from someone a few days later but it so happened that the LED lights were working at that point. The streetlights were still not working. A few days later, on Monday, June…

Over the years, I have had one debate repeatedly - is 'solving public problems' worth anything politically? I think so, and pretty much all of what I think is political in my life revolves around this thinking. I like the idea of solving problems, I believe it excites those who try, and is a real contribution to tackling the problems the country faces. That's why, day in and day out, I talk about problems and their solutions - especially in cities. The argument I have heard the most against this, is that this is not political enough. Winning elections takes…

Over the years, I have had one debate repeatedly - is 'solving public problems' worth anything politically? I think so, and pretty much all of what I think is political in my life revolves around this thinking. I like the idea of solving problems, I believe it excites those who try, and is a real contribution to tackling the problems the country faces. That's why, day in and day out, I talk about problems and their solutions - especially in cities. The argument I have heard the most against this, is that this is not political enough. Winning elections takes…

As I walk to work, I pass by one of the intersections on 17th Cross every day. This is a one way road and therefore attracts a good amount of traffic. Luckily the road has still retained its old charm and has not deteriorated into the chaos that is 15th cross.  In the last few months, a house that stood at the intersection has been undergoing renovations. I did not pay much attention to it till it was completed. There is so much building and re-building happening in Malleshwaram that unless it is the demise of a grand old house,…