festival

In Bangalore, about 3000 to 3500 tons of garbage is collected every day. On special occasions like Ugadi, Ayudh Pooja, Vijayadashami and Deepavali the amount of garbage (organic waste from flowers, fruits, vegetable, banana leaves, etc) increases by 800 to 1000 tons. This garbage is disposed off in vehicles within 2 to 3 days to recycling units.During this diwali season, the garbage collected in KR Market was around 175 tons which was more than the average of 60 to 70 tons per day. Garbage collection in the markets of Jayanagar, Malleswaram, Yeshwantpur, KR Puram, Fraser Town, JP Nagar, Banashankari, Sheshadripuram…

Ganesha Chaturthi is just round the corner and instead of scouring the city or the internet for eco-friendly clay Ganeshas (there's no way you could possibly be thinking of using any other type), read through these details to find out where you can pick up one or better still - make one – with hardly any effort.  Youth in the city seem to have taken a more proactive stance this year with regard to the Ganesha Chaturthi festival and its environmental impact. Two such groups -  To Make A Difference (TMAD) and Youth for Seva - are volunteering their time to minimise environmental…

Ganesha Chaturthi is just round the corner and instead of scouring the city or the internet for eco-friendly clay Ganeshas (there's no way you could possibly be thinking of using any other type), read through these details to find out where you can pick up one or better still - make one – with hardly any effort.  Youth in the city seem to have taken a more proactive stance this year with regard to the Ganesha Chaturthi festival and its environmental impact. Two such groups -  To Make A Difference (TMAD) and Youth for Seva - are volunteering their time to minimise environmental…

From the 6th day of Navarathri, or Dashara, the festivities move into high gear. Everywhere, families have put up their "kolu" or "gombe", and women and children are busy visiting each others' homes. Here's the display at Bhuvana's home:The various dolls and scenarios symbolize the universe that we live in, which is protected by the Mother Goddess, Durga, from evil in the form of MahishAsur.Fancy rangolis decorate the doorways:Welcoming visitors into the homes. It's a festive,happy time for everyone....Happy Dashara, or Bijoya, or whatever festivity you may celebrating now! ⊕

From the 6th day of Navarathri, or Dashara, the festivities move into high gear. Everywhere, families have put up their "kolu" or "gombe", and women and children are busy visiting each others' homes. Here's the display at Bhuvana's home:The various dolls and scenarios symbolize the universe that we live in, which is protected by the Mother Goddess, Durga, from evil in the form of MahishAsur.Fancy rangolis decorate the doorways:Welcoming visitors into the homes. It's a festive,happy time for everyone....Happy Dashara, or Bijoya, or whatever festivity you may celebrating now! ⊕

On Gandhi Jayanti, as I was walking past the United Theological College (UTC) on Millers Road, I was delighted to see a banner regarding its centenary celebrations still displayed. Although I was aware that this renowned institution turned a hundred in July 2010, I was unable to participate in any of the relevant events. Curious to know what was on that afternoon, I entered the green and serene campus. The helpful security guard and a staff member directed me to the large group of Mizo youth (our siblings from the state of Mizoram) chatting and playing merrily. Learning that there…

On Gandhi Jayanti, as I was walking past the United Theological College (UTC) on Millers Road, I was delighted to see a banner regarding its centenary celebrations still displayed. Although I was aware that this renowned institution turned a hundred in July 2010, I was unable to participate in any of the relevant events. Curious to know what was on that afternoon, I entered the green and serene campus. The helpful security guard and a staff member directed me to the large group of Mizo youth (our siblings from the state of Mizoram) chatting and playing merrily. Learning that there…

As soon as I read that Bangalore was hosting the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation's (IWAS) biennial event, I decided that I would definitely see these remarkable people whom I have viewed a bit on the telly. Although I attended only the colourful and slightly chaotic opening ceremony and also witnessed some of the confusion prevalent among the organizers, I felt enriched and elated! When I asked Mr. David Premnath, the event's Technical Director about the motivation behind bringing the games to India he promptly replied, "We wanted to create awareness about these games, here." However, despite the occasion's specialty,…

As soon as I read that Bangalore was hosting the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation's (IWAS) biennial event, I decided that I would definitely see these remarkable people whom I have viewed a bit on the telly. Although I attended only the colourful and slightly chaotic opening ceremony and also witnessed some of the confusion prevalent among the organizers, I felt enriched and elated! When I asked Mr. David Premnath, the event's Technical Director about the motivation behind bringing the games to India he promptly replied, "We wanted to create awareness about these games, here." However, despite the occasion's specialty,…

In early 2006, many non-profit and community based organizations like SICHREM, ESG, Sangama, OpenSpace, Stree Jagruti Samiti et al and individuals (like yours truly) working with marginalized persons and social issues in and around Bangalore felt the need for an open, informal gathering and expression of life, our spirit and beliefs. The idea crystallized into Namma Jathre, Our Festival signifying that it is an event by and for everyone. When we first held the Jathre at Cubbon Park in November 2006, nearly 40 citizen's groups and 7000 people including the general public participated. This increased to over 40 organizations and…