Whitefield Rising

We have a lot of issues in our neighborhood that can be solved by good governance. We have learnt that the only way to make improvements is by steadily increasing accountability of those in power. Active, engaged, informed, and vigilant citizens who vote determine who gets in power and what the outcome is. We remain non partisan and will not tell you who to vote for. Having helped thousands in Mahadevpura get on the voter rolls this year, we now share a summary of the  very successful "Meet Your MP Candidates" event held on April 14, 2019.  Who are they and what did they say? Click here to read…

The Graphite India #AirPollution campaign - NGT upholds KSPCB CLOSURE order from 2012!  Following the Supreme Court order, where Graphite India was recognized as a polluter under the Polluter Pays Principal, the complainants continued their case in the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The hearing was on Monday, Jan 28th, 2019. The four judge bench listened to the complainants' side of the story, poured over the Appellate Authority ruling from 2013, and fully overturned it! The Principal Bench of NGT called the majority opinion of the appellate court ‘presumptuous’, and instead accepted the dissenting judgment, which pinned pollution on Graphite India. Dissenting Judge Lawrence…

Does your maid experience any violence at home? Maybe it is not violence but just abuse? Or alcoholism ? Is your co-worker struggling to make sense of her spiraling marriage? Is your neighbor feeling unwanted, disrespected or manipulated? We finally have an answer after years of not being able to effectively help women reaching out to us having experienced violence of some sort. The term violence seems to suggest physical harm - but emotional and mental harm are equally harmful and people need to be helped. It is to address this very issue that we have begun helping an increasing…

Community Awareness and Outreach March was the month of many firsts for Bembala. Bembala’s community outreach initiative “Bol Sakhi” organized its first event with nearly 30 Pournakarmikas (street sweepers) and an awareness talk with the parents at the Samriddhi Trust Bridge School. We also had our first pop up at Indus International School -Bangalore (IISB) Bol Sakhi was a heartwarming gathering where the volunteer survivors shared their own stories, which highlighted different forms of abuse creating awareness. This forged a connect that women’s experiences of violence cuts across all socio-economic barriers and encouraged the ladies to empathize and share their thoughts on abuse…

It is that time of season again when we get to take a Report Card on the performance of our MP candidate and select one from those now standing for election based on who we feel would best represent us in the Lok Sabha. A total of 34 candidates have filed for nomination for the MP election for Bangalore Central - You can see the list here. Million Voter Rising team supported by all citizen groups across Mahadevapura, has been working the past three years to create awareness about the issues, and assist all eligible citizens to become registered voters. We now cordially…

The Erin Brokovich like story of the common man taking on a Graphite Electrode producing factory that polluted. This is the incredible story of a 40 year old, Rs 9000 crore, private graphite polluting factory in Mahadevpura A 10 year legal battle for residents of Ferns Paradise 1 student project A large citizens campaign A Supreme Court judgement A win for citizens with the factory shut down! Read More here for the full story. There is a big learning from this journey. If you are keen to take on a challenge, read more to understand what worked. Media Mentions: 1. Times of India - Battle for Whitefield 2. The Hindu - NGT…

The PIL filed by Pattandur Agrahara RWA Federation, praying that the Government be directed to protect and revive the historic Pattandur Agrahara Lake, and not change the nature of the lake at any cost, came up for hearing. The court was made aware that the government has filed a case of fraud against a private encroacher of the lake area in a different bench of the court, and an interim order was issued by the bench staying a supposed land tribunal order on the basis of which the encroacher was doing so. The court has directed the state to submit…

The PIL filed by Pattandur Agrahara RWA Federation, praying that the Government be directed to protect and revive the historic Pattandur Agrahara Lake, and not change the nature of the lake at any cost, came up for hearing. The court was made aware that the government has filed a case of fraud against a private encroacher of the lake area in a different bench of the court, and an interim order was issued by the bench staying a supposed land tribunal order on the basis of which the encroacher was doing so. The court has directed the state to submit…

More than 200 residents living in BBMP's Mahadevapura Zone walked peacefully on Borewell Road in Whitefield recently, demanding restoration of the road and civic amenities. Young and old, women and men, joined hands to cover the 1.5 km stretch from Post Office to Ambedkar Statue in one hour. En route, around 200 school children and residents stood with placards in solidarity for the cause. Pic: Shanthi Chandola Organised by Nallurahalli Rising along with Whitefield Rising, the protest in Hagadur ward drew people from far and near, including Kadugudi and Garadacharpalya and Hoodi wards. Led by a band of drummers and accompanied…

More than 200 residents living in BBMP's Mahadevapura Zone walked peacefully on Borewell Road in Whitefield recently, demanding restoration of the road and civic amenities. Young and old, women and men, joined hands to cover the 1.5 km stretch from Post Office to Ambedkar Statue in one hour. En route, around 200 school children and residents stood with placards in solidarity for the cause. Pic: Shanthi Chandola Organised by Nallurahalli Rising along with Whitefield Rising, the protest in Hagadur ward drew people from far and near, including Kadugudi and Garadacharpalya and Hoodi wards. Led by a band of drummers and accompanied…