ELECTIONS

The start of a new academic year brings a lot of things, new friends, new classes, an atmosphere of excitement. For the 11th and 12 graders at my school, it also brings along election frenzy. This year was my first time running for elections, and the process made me think about sustainability in a whole new way. It all started when I stood in front of the collection of stickers in my room, stuck to the side of my bedside cabinet. There were about 30 of them, all obtained from last year's campaigning, creative, colorful and shiny. But it made…

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…

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…

Having had my voter id "vanish" (from Richmond Town,where I had voted earlier), I had applied afresh...online, and twice gave my photograph and Aadhar details to people who were vetted by our residents' association and were supposed to be genuine information collectors. Finally, this morning, I went to the BBMP office where I was supposed to check on the arrival of the Voter Id card. The office that I had visited before (J P Nagar 2nd Phase) was wide open...and deserted on the first floor, with all the steel cupboards open with several files inside. and locked on the ground…

Having had my voter id "vanish" (from Richmond Town,where I had voted earlier), I had applied afresh...online, and twice gave my photograph and Aadhar details to people who were vetted by our residents' association and were supposed to be genuine information collectors. Finally, this morning, I went to the BBMP office where I was supposed to check on the arrival of the Voter Id card. The office that I had visited before (J P Nagar 2nd Phase) was wide open...and deserted on the first floor, with all the steel cupboards open with several files inside. and locked on the ground…

A few months ago, on my other blog, I wrote a post about Donald Trump, making less-than-gentle fun of the man. At the time, he didn't seem like much of a threat. I was fairly confident that Donald Trump had about as much chance of becoming president as a lemur had of learning to fly an aeroplane. It looks, however, as though it may be time to invent seatbelts for lemurs, though, because The Donald is looking like a serious presidential candidate. After several years of threats, Donald Trump has finally decided to run for presidential election. I don't know…

A few months ago, on my other blog, I wrote a post about Donald Trump, making less-than-gentle fun of the man. At the time, he didn't seem like much of a threat. I was fairly confident that Donald Trump had about as much chance of becoming president as a lemur had of learning to fly an aeroplane. It looks, however, as though it may be time to invent seatbelts for lemurs, though, because The Donald is looking like a serious presidential candidate. After several years of threats, Donald Trump has finally decided to run for presidential election. I don't know…

Initially, this piece had nothing to do with Donald Trump. It had nothing to with American politics whatsoever. I set out to write about my experience visiting an office and a local university in Bengaluru. I thought, maybe I will discuss outsourcing or the importance of community journalism. But once I started writing, what I needed to say became clear. I needed to write about Donald Trump. Last week I visited an American company whose Indian staff generates lecture and homework content for American universities. I talked with a group of employees. They asked how I was adjusting to life…

Initially, this piece had nothing to do with Donald Trump. It had nothing to with American politics whatsoever. I set out to write about my experience visiting an office and a local university in Bengaluru. I thought, maybe I will discuss outsourcing or the importance of community journalism. But once I started writing, what I needed to say became clear. I needed to write about Donald Trump. Last week I visited an American company whose Indian staff generates lecture and homework content for American universities. I talked with a group of employees. They asked how I was adjusting to life…

Munnukolalu school. Pic: Abhijeet Nath Abhijeet Nath, a resident of Whitefield area, explains his fight to find his booth and vote in BBMP elections. After three hours, he did vote—he's an inspiration to all of us! His mail: I went to vote in Munnekolalu Govt School where I have always gone to cast my vote in last few years. I got a slip from the volunteers outside the polling station. Polling station was mentioned as "Govt Higher Primary School, Room No 12, Munnekolalu". However was told by polling officers at Munnekolalu school that they have only till room no. 11…