Editors' Blog

To the casual observer, it may appear that Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the city often work in silos; they are not often effective and find it tough to tackle larger issues. This may even be true. However, over the past decade, Bangalore has been seeing more residents’ activism. Together, they tell a story of change. For instance, more RWAs are now teaming up to form federations. The newest kid on the block is Bannerghatta Road Neighbourhoods Association or BANA. Emerging networks In the newer gated communities and apartments, the owners associations are networked well and reach out to their…

To the casual observer, it may appear that Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the city often work in silos; they are not often effective and find it tough to tackle larger issues. This may even be true. However, over the past decade, Bangalore has been seeing more residents’ activism. Together, they tell a story of change. For instance, more RWAs are now teaming up to form federations. The newest kid on the block is Bannerghatta Road Neighbourhoods Association or BANA. Emerging networks In the newer gated communities and apartments, the owners associations are networked well and reach out to their…

It has been two weeks since the June 5th deadline to remove sun films from cars. The urgency to evade fine has died down. The garages don’t have long queues anymore. They did make a lot of money though. On the last day, one of the garages in Bommanahalli made Rs 15,000 rupees, just by removing films. Albeit the owner of the garage was not pleased. ‘It is a lot of work for Rs 300/- per car madam’ he said.Has there been a lull in crimes, especially against women, post the removal of sun films? After all that was the…

It has been two weeks since the June 5th deadline to remove sun films from cars. The urgency to evade fine has died down. The garages don’t have long queues anymore. They did make a lot of money though. On the last day, one of the garages in Bommanahalli made Rs 15,000 rupees, just by removing films. Albeit the owner of the garage was not pleased. ‘It is a lot of work for Rs 300/- per car madam’ he said.Has there been a lull in crimes, especially against women, post the removal of sun films? After all that was the…

As some of you know, ABIDe member and urban affairs strategist Ashwin Mahesh is running for a seat in the Karnataka Legislative Council under the graduates constituency this month. He is campaigning on a Lok Satta party ticket.We must also let you know that Mahesh is one of the directors of Oorvani Media, the firm that publishes Citizen Matters (this print and online magazine covering Bangalore) and India Together, the national e-magazine covering public affairs and development. All over the world, it is true that politicians starting media outfits, and media, have tended to play a dubious role in politics.…

As some of you know, ABIDe member and urban affairs strategist Ashwin Mahesh is running for a seat in the Karnataka Legislative Council under the graduates constituency this month. He is campaigning on a Lok Satta party ticket.We must also let you know that Mahesh is one of the directors of Oorvani Media, the firm that publishes Citizen Matters (this print and online magazine covering Bangalore) and India Together, the national e-magazine covering public affairs and development. All over the world, it is true that politicians starting media outfits, and media, have tended to play a dubious role in politics.…

A couple of years ago, we talked about some of our writers who had authored books. We are now happy to share that more Citizen Matters writers have jumped into the bandwagon of published authors.The latest (and youngest we may add) is Malini Srikrishna. Malini writes a blog online on Citizen Matters. Malini, 14, has just published a book of her poems on Amazon. It is said to take the reader on a “roller coaster ride of a teen girl's life. It talks of best friends and bitter enemies that sometimes you can't tell apart. Of dreams, death and loss,…

A couple of years ago, we talked about some of our writers who had authored books. We are now happy to share that more Citizen Matters writers have jumped into the bandwagon of published authors.The latest (and youngest we may add) is Malini Srikrishna. Malini writes a blog online on Citizen Matters. Malini, 14, has just published a book of her poems on Amazon. It is said to take the reader on a “roller coaster ride of a teen girl's life. It talks of best friends and bitter enemies that sometimes you can't tell apart. Of dreams, death and loss,…

The Kolaveri phenomenon still rages. Literally translated, the word means 'murderous rage', as is widely known by now. The video spawned off Kolaveri derivatives in several languages, some comical, some serious. On December 5th, BBMP was put at receiving end of at least one of them. An upset citizen and Youtube user, Debashish Ghosh shot off a video asking 'Why this Kolaveri?' of BBMP. The city corporation recently won a High Court case on it's massive tree cutting plan along Sankey Road to widen the corridor to Yeshwantpur. The video is a drive with the lush canopy of trees on…

The Kolaveri phenomenon still rages. Literally translated, the word means 'murderous rage', as is widely known by now. The video spawned off Kolaveri derivatives in several languages, some comical, some serious. On December 5th, BBMP was put at receiving end of at least one of them. An upset citizen and Youtube user, Debashish Ghosh shot off a video asking 'Why this Kolaveri?' of BBMP. The city corporation recently won a High Court case on it's massive tree cutting plan along Sankey Road to widen the corridor to Yeshwantpur. The video is a drive with the lush canopy of trees on…