footpath

From Davanagere to Denmark, they discuss namma traffic. From Shivamogga to Sunnyvale, silk board has a reputation. But how did we get here? Could it have been avoided? We believe so. Unlike any other metro, Bengaluru did not get the benefits of a mass public transport system in all these years. Bus is our only lifeline carrying nearly 45 lakh passengers every day - with hardly 6500 buses and no attention given to it. We have the highest bus fares in the country! Metro is being built now and it will take another six years before it connects most of…

We often stop at one of the beautifully designed cane "stalls", which can be packed up and carried around, and equally quickly set up somewhere on the roadside.  Little puffed, fried balls of semolina, in a large bag; a large pot containing "paani" which is tamarind juice, flavoured with spices, and several potatoes, lentils and sometimes boiled peas,which are mashed together, with or without onions as the customer prefers.   I've been talking to a few of the young men who sell the "pani puri" from their stalls, and I realize that most of them seem to come from Bihar,…

We often stop at one of the beautifully designed cane "stalls", which can be packed up and carried around, and equally quickly set up somewhere on the roadside.  Little puffed, fried balls of semolina, in a large bag; a large pot containing "paani" which is tamarind juice, flavoured with spices, and several potatoes, lentils and sometimes boiled peas,which are mashed together, with or without onions as the customer prefers.   I've been talking to a few of the young men who sell the "pani puri" from their stalls, and I realize that most of them seem to come from Bihar,…

We often see vendors like this girl I spotted at the Kanakapura Road/ORR junction, selling large balloons. It could be a variety of (usually Chinese) products: windshield shades, mobile phone charger cords, earbuds, dusters.   Spare a thought for the hardships these people undergo. Obviously, they want to make an honest living, and not beg at the street corners. They get their goods from an agent, and have to pay him a large part of what they earn. In the process, they eke out a very slender living. Do, occasionally, buy from them; you can donate the item you bought…

We often see vendors like this girl I spotted at the Kanakapura Road/ORR junction, selling large balloons. It could be a variety of (usually Chinese) products: windshield shades, mobile phone charger cords, earbuds, dusters.   Spare a thought for the hardships these people undergo. Obviously, they want to make an honest living, and not beg at the street corners. They get their goods from an agent, and have to pay him a large part of what they earn. In the process, they eke out a very slender living. Do, occasionally, buy from them; you can donate the item you bought…

In May 2014, the residents of Casa Ansal, disgusted with the garbage piling up on their side walls, had called on the help of the Ugly Indian, and had this clean-up drive that I had written about: Garbage cleaning at Casa Ansal. The ditch was covered with granite slabs and the wall completely painted. Six months later, the wall continues to be clean, and the footpath walkable (except for the place behind the transformer at the Bannerghatta Road end where the autorickshaw wallahs insist on continuting to relieve themselves.)  So...I am posting this photo of the place as it is…

In May 2014, the residents of Casa Ansal, disgusted with the garbage piling up on their side walls, had called on the help of the Ugly Indian, and had this clean-up drive that I had written about: Garbage cleaning at Casa Ansal. The ditch was covered with granite slabs and the wall completely painted. Six months later, the wall continues to be clean, and the footpath walkable (except for the place behind the transformer at the Bannerghatta Road end where the autorickshaw wallahs insist on continuting to relieve themselves.)  So...I am posting this photo of the place as it is…

On October 2nd, Prime Minister Modi announced Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Mission Clean India. In his speech, he appealed to Indians to devote 100 hours every year towards the cause of cleanliness. He also stated, “It is our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfil Gandhiji's vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.” Since then, the media has been reporting of clean-up drives across the country, involving bigwigs from the industry, celebrities, politicians, NGOs and what not, almost on a daily basis. Why, some politicians even arranged for garbage to be littered, so that they had…

On October 2nd, Prime Minister Modi announced Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Mission Clean India. In his speech, he appealed to Indians to devote 100 hours every year towards the cause of cleanliness. He also stated, “It is our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfil Gandhiji's vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.” Since then, the media has been reporting of clean-up drives across the country, involving bigwigs from the industry, celebrities, politicians, NGOs and what not, almost on a daily basis. Why, some politicians even arranged for garbage to be littered, so that they had…

Dear all,    After doing a series of pedestrian events called "Come, Cross the Road" to observe and highlight the issues faced by pedestrians on Bangalore roads, Hasiru Usiru is  now ready to release the final draft of the report with our findings and observations.   As part of this event, we would like to showcase photographs emphasising the different problems faced by pedestrians on a daily basis. The problems could be any of the below or ANYTHING you perceive to be a problem for pedestrians in the city.    Difficulty in crossing the roads Bad footpaths Dimly lit subways,…