Society

Smog over the city: view from Nandi Hills, 271114   I took this picture from Nandi Hills, The grey band in the lower part of the photo shows the skies over Bangalore. It was appalling to realize just how bad our air actually is. I have, several years ago, seen this kind of smog over Los Angeles...well, we can be proud that we have caught up with US cities in this awful respect!    

 Photo credit: Bhoomija   As the last quarter of the year rolls round, Devi or the Mother Goddess figures frequently in classical concerts. Bhoomija, a Bangalore-based trust that promotes performing arts presented a special concert Amma-for the mother by Carnatic vocalists Ranjani Gayatri. Bhoomija has previously presented Listening to Life, a concert by Bombay Jayashri which I had thoroughly enjoyed. Listen to a thillana that was presented by Bombay Jayashri in that program.  So it was with a good deal of anticipation that I attended the Bhoomija concert with family in tow. Carnatic vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri are among the…

 Photo credit: Bhoomija   As the last quarter of the year rolls round, Devi or the Mother Goddess figures frequently in classical concerts. Bhoomija, a Bangalore-based trust that promotes performing arts presented a special concert Amma-for the mother by Carnatic vocalists Ranjani Gayatri. Bhoomija has previously presented Listening to Life, a concert by Bombay Jayashri which I had thoroughly enjoyed. Listen to a thillana that was presented by Bombay Jayashri in that program.  So it was with a good deal of anticipation that I attended the Bhoomija concert with family in tow. Carnatic vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri are among the…

I was surprised to see news reports that the Women's Right Commission (WRC) chief has written to the DGP and the Home Minister asking the State to discourage the Kiss of Love protest, because she felt it was uncivilised. In some ways, it shows how little she understands what her own job is. The WRC is intended to be a progressive body. If all that is required in a commission like this is that it should merely reflect whatever is going on in society, we would not need it at all. Child rights, women's rights, gender rights, dalit rights, minority…

I was surprised to see news reports that the Women's Right Commission (WRC) chief has written to the DGP and the Home Minister asking the State to discourage the Kiss of Love protest, because she felt it was uncivilised. In some ways, it shows how little she understands what her own job is. The WRC is intended to be a progressive body. If all that is required in a commission like this is that it should merely reflect whatever is going on in society, we would not need it at all. Child rights, women's rights, gender rights, dalit rights, minority…

Email to the bngbirds egroup: It was very pleasant to be able to go to Kaikondrahalli Kere after a long time and find that, apart from the dumping and levelling going on down one side of it, the lake is generally still well-maintained. An ambling walk of a couple of hours was very productive from the birding point of view, and we watched the nesting behaviour of the Great Cormorants, and the fishing by almost all of the waterfowl. Several juvenile Brahminy Kites, swooping at the surface of the water now and then, provided the raptor touch. The flock of…

Email to the bngbirds egroup: It was very pleasant to be able to go to Kaikondrahalli Kere after a long time and find that, apart from the dumping and levelling going on down one side of it, the lake is generally still well-maintained. An ambling walk of a couple of hours was very productive from the birding point of view, and we watched the nesting behaviour of the Great Cormorants, and the fishing by almost all of the waterfowl. Several juvenile Brahminy Kites, swooping at the surface of the water now and then, provided the raptor touch. The flock of…

If you find an injured wild animal or bird, or even a domesticated pet such as a cat or dog: 1. Keep the creature as comfortable as possible, in an area lined with paper to facilitate cleaning. 2. Call People for Animals on 9900025370 or 9980339880, Landline - 080 28611986 / 28612767 / 22733350.  3. In south Bangalore, you can take it to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC). You can visit their webiste here: http://www.wrrcbangalore.org.  With some wild creatures though, especially bird nestlings which have been thrown out of their nests, heartless as it may sound, nature's law of selection may be at work,…

If you find an injured wild animal or bird, or even a domesticated pet such as a cat or dog: 1. Keep the creature as comfortable as possible, in an area lined with paper to facilitate cleaning. 2. Call People for Animals on 9900025370 or 9980339880, Landline - 080 28611986 / 28612767 / 22733350.  3. In south Bangalore, you can take it to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC). You can visit their webiste here: http://www.wrrcbangalore.org.  With some wild creatures though, especially bird nestlings which have been thrown out of their nests, heartless as it may sound, nature's law of selection may be at work,…

One evening I heard a buzzing sound near my glass door overlooking the garden. I did not pay much attention as I did not expect anything unusual. After a while I noticed two bees in my living room. One of them was lying on its back and was desperately trying to come back to its normal position. It took some time and started flying all around the house. I was scared of its sting—it took me a lot of courage to not swat it with a newspaper. After a long bee hunt, it was finally set free outside. These bees had started to build its…