GENRE: Voices

House documents in order? Do you have your occupancy certificate in order? This is an important document to have BEFORE you occupy your new dwelling and one that the builder is supposed to get and often doesn't. Problem is that you wont get a Khata without this. Read on to understand the requirements given by BBMP and be sure to get your OC. Power of standing together It was a big day for Kundanahalli Lake recently as BBMP brought down encroachments. This came after repeated efforts by residents who are on a mission to restore the lake to its healthy…

Dear members of civil society, who are the members of the newly formed Bangalore Blueprint Action Group, I am writing to you today because, like you, I care about Namma Bengaluru and I want its governance to improve. And I believe every one of us in the city can make a difference to its future. First, I am happy that the Government values your advice. The input of people who have both ideas and passion for the city should always be welcome in government. Many of you have a track record of interest in the welfare of the city, and…

Dear members of civil society, who are the members of the newly formed Bangalore Blueprint Action Group, I am writing to you today because, like you, I care about Namma Bengaluru and I want its governance to improve. And I believe every one of us in the city can make a difference to its future. First, I am happy that the Government values your advice. The input of people who have both ideas and passion for the city should always be welcome in government. Many of you have a track record of interest in the welfare of the city, and…

So far, I have received expressions of interest from people in about 25 wards to work on local solutions for civic improvement and better governance. I'll reach out to each of you individually and see how to help you get going, but meanwhile, here is a list of things to get started with, in thinking about the local area. This is from the work of CiFoS in Sanjay Nagar (thanks, Sathya Sankaran, Subbaiah T.S. and others). Later this week, we'll organise a small workshop for the first few wards to begin to replicate this work in other areas. Meanwhile, if…

So far, I have received expressions of interest from people in about 25 wards to work on local solutions for civic improvement and better governance. I'll reach out to each of you individually and see how to help you get going, but meanwhile, here is a list of things to get started with, in thinking about the local area. This is from the work of CiFoS in Sanjay Nagar (thanks, Sathya Sankaran, Subbaiah T.S. and others). Later this week, we'll organise a small workshop for the first few wards to begin to replicate this work in other areas. Meanwhile, if…

How do the cricketers keep a track of their team mates at the Malleshwaram ground? Pic: Rajesh Kallaje Sports encompass every aspect of life in the United States. From the time we can walk we start playing at least one sport. Historically baseball has been America’s sporting pastime like soccer has been for much of the rest of the world. There are two main sports that parents start their children out on the first, is teeball/baseball and the second is, surprisingly enough, is soccer. As American children get older those that continue to stay interested in athletics expand their horizons…

How do the cricketers keep a track of their team mates at the Malleshwaram ground? Pic: Rajesh Kallaje Sports encompass every aspect of life in the United States. From the time we can walk we start playing at least one sport. Historically baseball has been America’s sporting pastime like soccer has been for much of the rest of the world. There are two main sports that parents start their children out on the first, is teeball/baseball and the second is, surprisingly enough, is soccer. As American children get older those that continue to stay interested in athletics expand their horizons…

Having been living in India, and more specifically Bangalore, for almost three months now, I have grown increasingly more comfortable with the social norms and practices here. For the first month or so these norms took some time to sink in and become common practice. For example, the concept of “Indian stretch time”, at home it is considered very rude to be late, or not needing to say thank you every time someone does something nice for you, an omission of “thank you” in the United States is also considered an offense. The following is a story of how, as…

Having been living in India, and more specifically Bangalore, for almost three months now, I have grown increasingly more comfortable with the social norms and practices here. For the first month or so these norms took some time to sink in and become common practice. For example, the concept of “Indian stretch time”, at home it is considered very rude to be late, or not needing to say thank you every time someone does something nice for you, an omission of “thank you” in the United States is also considered an offense. The following is a story of how, as…

This is a story of hope. Of reclaiming a glorious city that had lost its beauty to the plastic curse. Of standing your ground and sticking your neck out for what you believe. Of collective, affirmative action. Of the power of the people that start from you and me. This story begins with the horrendous image of a beautiful city choking on its own garbage and ends with the reclamation of that same city by its loving citizens and thought leaders, who take on the plastic monster by its horns. A couple of months ago, it seemed like Bangalore city…