JP Nagar

Sohni D S, 14, a Class IX student replies in an instant when asked to name a threat to our environment, “Plastic covers,” she says. A much younger Rajeev Singh, 10, a class V student, lists cutting trees as a threat to our environment.Sohini and Rajeev are both students of Bangalore Scottish School in Navodaya Nagar, JP Nagar. The school with strength of close to hundred children has planned several activities on the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5th).“We want to educate our children on the importance of environment, the impact of our actions and what we can do…

Once upon a time, not so long ago, our city with its salubrious climate, smooth roads and countless trees made it a pensioners’ paradise. Indeed, Bengaluru had at least two other names as well – The Garden City and the City of Lakes. All this changed within the last three decades or so. The tree cover has been blown and the lakes are vanishing. If in the 1830s there were an incredible 19,800 lakes and tanks, by the 1960s the number dwindled to 280 and reduced further by 1990 to less than 80. They vanished as quickly as the population…

Its chic and very Ooh La La.  For croissants and conversations. Pic: Uma SwamyWe are talking about The French Loaf that inaugurated its latest outlet at Aurobindo Marg, J P Nagar, 1st Phase, near Indira Gandhi Circle.  People can choose among a variety of The French Loaf's specialty items such as croissants, pastries, pies and doughnuts. Those wanting a quiet tete-a-tete can enjoy the air-conditioned indoor or the outdoor seating arrangements.Located near  Sarakki Gate, on the Kanakapura Main Road, Sri Raghavendra Davanagere Benne Dose Hotel is a favorite of the dosa connoisseurs of the area.  Mouth water benne dosa beckons.…

Sohni D S, 14, a Class IX student replies in an instant when asked to name a threat to our environment, “Plastic covers,” she says. A much younger Rajeev Singh, 10, a class V student, lists cutting trees as a threat to our environment.Sohini and Rajeev are both students of Bangalore Scottish School in Navodaya Nagar, JP Nagar. The school with strength of close to hundred children has planned several activities on the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5th).“We want to educate our children on the importance of environment, the impact of our actions and what we can do…

Once upon a time, not so long ago, our city with its salubrious climate, smooth roads and countless trees made it a pensioners’ paradise. Indeed, Bengaluru had at least two other names as well – The Garden City and the City of Lakes. All this changed within the last three decades or so. The tree cover has been blown and the lakes are vanishing. If in the 1830s there were an incredible 19,800 lakes and tanks, by the 1960s the number dwindled to 280 and reduced further by 1990 to less than 80. They vanished as quickly as the population…

Its chic and very Ooh La La.  For croissants and conversations. Pic: Uma SwamyWe are talking about The French Loaf that inaugurated its latest outlet at Aurobindo Marg, J P Nagar, 1st Phase, near Indira Gandhi Circle.  People can choose among a variety of The French Loaf's specialty items such as croissants, pastries, pies and doughnuts. Those wanting a quiet tete-a-tete can enjoy the air-conditioned indoor or the outdoor seating arrangements.Located near  Sarakki Gate, on the Kanakapura Main Road, Sri Raghavendra Davanagere Benne Dose Hotel is a favorite of the dosa connoisseurs of the area.  Mouth water benne dosa beckons.…

As a creative writer I am constantly discovering new things about places, people and myself. Since the last four years though I have been privileged to tackle perhaps my greatest discovery - the Puttenahalli Lake in J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase. What began as a wish to prevent misuse of the lake gathered momentum and led to the formation of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) in June 2010. Eleven months later, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BBMP to formally maintain the lake, the first citizens’ group to do so. Every time we visit the lake, my…

As a creative writer I am constantly discovering new things about places, people and myself. Since the last four years though I have been privileged to tackle perhaps my greatest discovery - the Puttenahalli Lake in J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase. What began as a wish to prevent misuse of the lake gathered momentum and led to the formation of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) in June 2010. Eleven months later, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BBMP to formally maintain the lake, the first citizens’ group to do so. Every time we visit the lake, my…

  This morning, as I walked in Forest Park, I inhaled the heady scent of the magnolia blossoms, and though I am not a nostalgic person usually, the scent evoked memories of what I call the "pre-IT Bangalore"...the sleepy, lovely city that we moved into, in 1988. One of the loveliest memories from those days is that of inhaling the scent of the Sampige trees as I walked, and cycled, in Cubbon Park...Then, there were not too many apartments around; it was we, who lived in such apartments, who were the newly-arrived interlopers. At many parties, I would hear the complaints…

  This morning, as I walked in Forest Park, I inhaled the heady scent of the magnolia blossoms, and though I am not a nostalgic person usually, the scent evoked memories of what I call the "pre-IT Bangalore"...the sleepy, lovely city that we moved into, in 1988. One of the loveliest memories from those days is that of inhaling the scent of the Sampige trees as I walked, and cycled, in Cubbon Park...Then, there were not too many apartments around; it was we, who lived in such apartments, who were the newly-arrived interlopers. At many parties, I would hear the complaints…