BENGALURU:  Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has installed an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in 10 of its buses on a pilot basis to prevent and reduce road accidents.

Transport Minister R Ramalinga Reddy said the “Mobile 8 Connect” device installed in the buses has a vision sensor camera, a driver monitor system, an eye watch, and a GPS unit mounted on the front windshield.

“With these features, the bus can be tracked, an alert will be sent to the driver in case he dozes off and ask him to maintain a safe distance between vehicles, avoid a collision and maintain a safe speed limit, from the control room. Based on the three-month feasibility study, the department will decide to install the system on all its buses,” he said.

He said 5,000 buses of BMTC will have the Advance Vehicle Location System (AVLS) under the Nirbhaya scheme and state government’s grant. A panic button, a Mobile Network Video Recorder (mNVR) and two CCTV cameras will be installed. All depots will start using this system gradually.

“This project is being implemented with a focus on women’s safety. Women passengers can press the panic button and the app-based SOS button if they face any trouble or problem,” Reddy said.

BENGALURU: The ISRO-industry pavilion was a hit at the Bengaluru Tech Summit as it attracted several space enthusiasts who wanted to experience the mobile planetarium and witness the first model of the Chandrayaan-3 lander on display. 

As the lunar mission launched this year was a huge success, citizens were eager to experience Taare Zameen Par’s digital planetarium, a semi-permanent geodesic dome.

It is a ‘Make in Karnataka’ initiative which is being showcased for the first time at the summit. The venture, supported by the government, has proven to be cost effective and also reduces the expenses of the planetarium by 50%. 

Hailing from North Karnataka, Dinesh Badagandi envisioned the idea to bridge the gap of astronomy education between the rural and urban areas. Since its inception in 2017, they have managed to educate 21 lakh children across 9,000 schools in the state. The entire dome is fitted with a projector screen displaying audio-supported visuals. While traditional planetariums lack interactive content, this digital planetarium uses VR technology. 

BENGALURU:  From tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon and Google, to established MNCs such as Cisco, Intel, US companies have made Karnataka their home. The state is home to 650 American companies, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge said.

Speaking at the India-US Tech Conclave held as part of Bengaluru Tech Summit on Wednesday, Kharge said, “American companies have been instrumental in driving Karnataka’s transformation into a global innovation powerhouse. Their presence has fostered a culture of innovation, fuelled R&D, and nurtured a skilled talent pool, propelling Karnataka to the forefront of technological advancements.”

These companies have not only invested in establishing their operations, but have also actively engaged in fostering innovation and collaboration within the state’s ecosystem, he added. US-India Business Council (USIBC) and the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka, have entered into an MoU to bolster collaboration in key industry sectors, with a particular focus on information technology, biotechnology, and electronics sectors.

“This partnership emphasises the deepening engagement between the Karnataka government and USIBC to identify and address common challenges, facilitate collaboration between industries and promote Karnataka as an attractive investment destination for American companies,” the minister said.
In a separate session on ‘Shaping the Commercial Space Frontier’, experts discussed the space sector’s future. 

BENGALURU: The high-growth sectors of information technology and biotechnology (IT/BT) are looking at a strong future, buoyed by favourable changes on the tech front and a prevailing resilient economic environment.

The country’s IT sector is currently valued at $200 billion and is expected to grow to $350 billion by the end of this decade. Substantiating this, Chairman of Vision Group on IT (Government of Karnataka) Kris Gopalakrishnan said, “In today’s world, technology contributes to increasing productivity and providing customer benefits. The IT sector cuts across everything. Even in the last year, the industry in India grew by 9%. It’s now a $200-billion sector, and is expected to grow to $350 billion by 2030.”

“This (IT) is a high-growth industry, and is continuously growing year after year, and has grown steadily over the last several years,” he said, addressing delegates at the inauguration of the 26th edition of Bengaluru  Tech Summit (BTS) 2023 at Bangalore Palace on Wednesday.

Delving into the latest trends driving the sector, he said technology is ever changing. “It was only in November 2022 that ChatGPT was introduced, emerging as the fastest-growing application tech in the world today. In every sector, applications and how we interact with technology, information and intelligent systems change. What is unique about this round is the ability to interact with AI using a chat interface, which democratises AI,” he explained. 

Mentioning that the global economic slowdown could be cyclical, he said that in the medium to long term, India’s IT industry could breach the $350 billion milestone too, with Karnataka being able to play a crucial role. 

Meanwhile, the biotech realm is also heading towards a future of promise. Highlighting the sector’s journey, Chairperson of Vision Group on BT Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said, “In BT and life sciences, breaking new boundaries in the form of synthetic biology, genomic medicine and personalised medicine are helping us address urgent needs of the planet, for sustainability, healthcare, and nutrition... In all these aspects, BT is playing a stellar role. If you look at the convergence of technologies, we are able to accelerate the pace of growth in BT in a more formidable manner.”

She said, “Biotechnology in India has always aimed to be a $150 billion sector by 2030. We are tracking well to attain this size. At this point in time, Karnataka itself contributes to 40% of India’s BT sector, which is currently  approaching $80 billion in value.”

CONTRIBUTE CSR FUNDS TO IMPROVE RURAL SCHOOLS: DKS
Citing that the state government will come up with a new education system for rural students to strengthen the standards of primary education in their schools, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to the heads of tech companies to contribute their CSR funds for the initiative. “We want to provide rural children with facilities so that they can compete on the world stage,” Shivakumar said. He added that several industry captains have come forward to invest CSR funds of Rs 2,000 cr.

PAI MIGHT LACK INFORMATION: PRIYANK KHARGE
IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge slammed Manipal Global Education Chairman Mohandas Pai for his post on X that Hyderabad will dethrone Bengaluru’s IT status because of the neglect of successive governments over the last 10 years and that the government should show more energy to improve the city. Kharge said, “Mohandas Pai might be lacking information. Not a single company that has come to the negotiation table has left the state. It has become a habit for some to take an anti-Karnataka stand.”

GREEN BTS TO REDUCE 1,350 KG OF WASTE
For the first time, the organisers have come up with a green BTS to adhere to sustainable practices and achieve net zero targets in coming years. BTS has taken novel steps towards this idea, such as replacing plastic water bottles with glass ones, and eliminating plastic ID pouches and printed exhibitor directories. “We are reducing 1,350 kg of waste,” said Ekroop Kaur, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT/BT and S&T.

BENGALURU:  Following directions of the High Court to form a committee for the construction and maintenance of public toilets in urban local bodies, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath  has ordered that a committee be set up with him as its chairman.

Meeting zonal commissioners to discuss the issue, he instructed officials to identify and list places for the construction of public toilets in congested areas, markets and important places.

About 255 places in the city have already been identified, while he directed officials to identify places for 46 new toilets. 

The city has 393 public toilets, of which 360 are public toilets, six community toilets, 17 modular toilets and 10 prefabricated ones. He said necessary steps should be taken to construct ‘She Toilets’ by identifying the places where women travel.

He asked the officials to maintain a toilet properly and said there are 229 e-toilets in the city, all of which have been shut down due to lack of proper maintenance. 

To properly maintain the e-toilets, he suggested that the tender should be called immediately. Also, he suggested installing e-toilets near bus stands. He directed officials to allow the public to use toilets constructed in Indira Canteens. 

SETTING THINGS RIGHT

• The committee will take up works on public toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Shubhra Bengaluru, Nagarothana and BBMP grants
• Chief engineers to remove obstructions and provide space for the construction of public toilets on footpaths
• Chief Health Officer (Public) BBMP shall inspect the cleanliness and proper equipment of toilets for staff working under him and submit a report
• Special Commissioner (Welfare) along with his subordinate officers should carry out routine inspections of toilets and take steps to provide more facilities for women

BENGALURU: Children are susceptible to infections during winter.  Respiratory infections, such as the flu and common cold, sore throat, and sinusitis are the most common illnesses during this season. Since these infections are highly contagious, it is crucial to monitor early symptoms and take preventive measures.

Symptoms

Coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, and fever are the most common symptoms. Additionally, children may experience extreme fatigue, body aches, and discomfort. 

When to consult a doctor

When the high fever lasts for more than 5 days
Dehydration due to vomiting and inability to keep fluids down
Loose stools that lasts for more than a week  
Difficulty in breathing and rashes all over the body

Preventive Measures

Vaccination: Ensure the child is up to date with all the vaccinations; flu vaccination is crucial.

Surrounding Hygiene:  Keep the surroundings clean, sanitize the toys, and the most frequently touched surfaces.

Hand Hygiene: Practice hand hygiene and encourage children to wash hands frequently.

Social Distancing:  Practice social distancing and avoid getting in contact with anyone who has symptoms.

Nutrition:  Follow a well-balanced diet that is high in protein, fibre, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat. Avoid highly processed foods and junk food.

Adequate Hydration:  Drink at least 6-7 glasses of water even during colder months.

Respiratory Etiquette:  Always use a mask; covering mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow while coughing or sneezing is instrumental in reducing the transmission of respiratory droplets.

Adequate Rest:  Rest plays a crucial role in the body’s ability to combat illnesses. One should sleep for at least 7-8 hours a day, which is vital for optimal immune system function.

Avoiding Contact With Infected Individuals: Within close quarters of schools and playgrounds, contact with infected children can lead to illnesses. It’s advisable for children to avoid close contact with infected individuals and the use of face masks.

Specific Focus On Influenza and Flu: Children are particularly susceptible to influenza and flu during winter. Taking precautions, such as timely vaccinations. It is crucial to be aware of specific medical perceptions, considering factors like the child’s health history and potential allergic reactions to vaccines.

Timely Medical Consultation: Seeking medical attention promptly when a child displays signs of illness is crucial for early detection and treatment.

(The writer is sr. consultant - neonatology & paediatrics,Aster CMI Hospital)

BENGALURU: Imagine a delectable tray of your favourite comfort food, so intricately curated that you can taste the flavours. Now, imagine it as your earrings. While that sounds a little inexplicable, miniature artist Kirti Basal, who is known for her venture Hello Miniverse, which started in 2019, creates accessories with polymer and liquid clay depicting a range of food items, from biscuits to cupcakes. She says that the art form is blowing up because ‘it’s just darn unique’, saying “Folks throw in tons of requests to miniaturise their favourite foods, making the whole miniature art scene a wild and tasty ride.”

Not just miniature food items many miniature artists in the city are experimenting with the art form. Ruchika Nambiar uses mixed media and has created a storyverse through The Dollhouse Project, an interactive miniature universe on Instagram which follows the life of Nambiar’s 5-inch-tall alter ego, Little R.“I found myself drawn to miniatures because of their immense potential for three-dimensional storytelling,” says Nambiar. Her passion for creating a parallel world inspires her to explore fluidity and identity through Little R, “This 2023, I also built a second studio apartment for Little R inside a handmade suitcase – The Travelling Home – so that she could travel with me.” The universe which is in its fifth season will see Little R seeing more of the world.

Nambiar believes that miniature art has seen a recent upsurge in India and across the world with the launch of reality shows like Best in Miniature. She says, “The appeal of miniature art lies in its physicality – the ability to behold a miniature object in the real world. And at a time when most experiences are increasingly virtual, miniatures tend to carry some degree of enchantment.”

As far as creating enchanting experiences is considered, engineer-turned-miniature artist Vani Dixit also known as chiguruminigardens,creates beautiful mini gardenscapes. “I love gardening and I stumbled upon miniature gardens which are small little garden scenes that you can keep in your balconies or some outdoor spaces as well. I thought why not create my own miniatures with clay,” says Dixit who also gets many custom orders.

Curating and creating memories through miniature art is also on the rise. Aimee Rajan, who is also known as @_allthingsclay_ has gained a lot of appreciation for her customised clay portraits, “I cannot count the number of times customers have messaged me after gifting their friends and family – the recreations in particular – expressing their gratitude. Whether it was a daughter wanting to immortalise her late father, or a wife giving her husband their special milestone moments or a giant family piece for their grandparents, it makes me want to continue doing this.”

BENGALURU: One month after the theft at producer Rockline Venkatesh’s brother’s residence, the police have arrested a gang of seven Nepalis and have recovered valuables worth Rs 1.53 crores, including 3 kgs of gold. The arrested are identified as Upendra, Nara Bahadur, Khakendra Shahi, Komal, Swastika, Parvathi and Shadala.

The accused had stolen nearly five kgs of gold ornaments and cash from the residence in Mahalakshmi Layout. The theft had taken place between Oct 21 and 29, at the residence of 58-year-old TN Bramaresh, when he and his family had gone for a vacation in Greece. The robbery came to light after the family returned from the vacation. 

Along with the gold ornaments, the accused had stolen cash of Rs 6.1 lakh. The accused have broken open the almirahs for the robbery.

“Of the accused, one of them was working as a security guard in an under construction building adjacent to the residence. The gang had observed the victim’s movements for over a month and waited for the family to go for the vacation before committing the crime. The main accused, Upendra, is a habitual offender and has more than 10 cases against him with the city police,” said an officer.

City Police Commissioner B Dayananda while briefing about the arrests advised public to be careful while going out for long durations. He added that the local police can be informed about the same.

BENGALURU: As patriarchal dominance persists in Indian society, families continue to force pregnant women to undergo sex determination tests to ensure the foetus is not female. Beyond medical practitioners, experts blame these families who drive doctors to perform such tests and demand that they be punished too. 

Dr Chandrika BR, Deputy Director (family planning), said the social stigma of a girl child being a family burden continues to exist in society. “Families who want to know the sex of the baby drive professionals to perform such tests in secret, solely for extra income. However, the families are let off the hook when it comes to punishment.” 

Recently, a sex determination and female foeticide racket was busted by police who alleged that 900 unauthorised abortions were performed in the state. 

As the total fertility rate (TFR) in the state has reduced over time, it raises concerns over a decline in population and low female sex ratio, if such activities continue in the next 15-20 years, doctors explained.
Dr Usha BK, neonatologist and associate professor at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute, said that irrespective of their financial status, families are usually disappointed after a baby girl is born. 

“When news that a boy is born is announced, parents celebrate but if it’s a girl, the reaction is often unpleasant. Families need to be blamed, but medical professionals are more responsible for conducting these tests,” Dr Usha said. 

Highlighting the issues faced by officials and police in identifying such rackets, Vivek Dorai, Deputy Director, Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostics Techniques (PCPNDT), said doctors who seek to make more money do these tests in farmhouses or factories, which makes it hard to detect. Despite regular investigations, it becomes difficult for officials to find any evidence against the doctors or families, to register a case.

BENGALURU: The Byappanahalli police have arrested nine people in the sex determination and female foeticide case. In the last three months, the accused have performed 242 illegal abortions. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, city police commissioner B Dayananda said that the case is under investigation for the last 45 days. “On Oct 15, the Byappanahalli police during a vehicle checking drive observed suspicious movement of a car. When the suspects sped without stopping, the police chased and caught them.

When the suspects were questioned, the racket came to light. Of the nine arrested are two doctors, three lab technicians/compounders, two agents, one hospital manager and a receptionist. Police are yet to arrest two more agents,” the commissioner said.

The accused are from Mysuru and Mandya. The two doctors own hospitals at Udayagiri in Mysuru. Of the two doctors, one is a pediatrician. The other medico is an ayurvedic doctor and his wife, who was the hospital’s manager is another accused in the case. They were performing sex determination and abortion in the hospitals and also at a jaggery production unit in Mandya. Two ultrasound scanning machines have been seized from the accused. 

Two of the accused are from Honnali who were working as agents and they are the ones who had provided the scanning machines. These two were also involved in a kidnap case.

They had maintained a register showing 242 illegal abortions of female fetuses in the last three months. For every abortion, they were charging between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000. For sex determination, they were charging Rs 5,000.

“As per the guidelines, the ultrasound scanning machines have to be given to a registered doctor after obtaining permission from the District Health Officer (DHO) or the officials concerned. There are clear violations in the guidelines. We are checking if any bureaucrats are involved in granting permission for the accused to use the machine. All the accused are in police custody, and are being interrogated,” added the commissioner.

The arrested doctors were allegedly involved for more than three years and have reportedly determined the sex of over 2,000 fetuses and conducted around 900 abortions.

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said it has been decided in the cabinet meeting to allocate around Rs 2,000 crore for garbage disposal, cleanliness and hygiene protection.

He said the local bodies will use the funds to develop infrastructure for solid waste management, sewage treatment, water supply and upkeep of cleanliness. “Local bodies must adhere to the National Green Tribunal’s guidelines to urban local bodies on scientific disposal of waste, sewage treatment and cleanliness,” the DCM said and instructed the urban local bodies to strictly monitor the unsystematic disposal of construction waste, which was becoming a menace in cities.

He was speaking after inaugurating the exhibition of the 17th International Municipal-23 Conference titled ‘Municipalika’, held at Palace Grounds on Tuesday, in which 316 urban local body officials from Karnataka and representatives of local bodies from other states participated to share the best practices for sustainable development of municipalities.

Raising the issue of violation of building plans, the DCM said, “Some people get permission to build one-storey building, but construct four-storey building. Officials must identify such buildings. They should not succumb to political pressures and must properly identify property values and collect taxes.”

While addressing the gathering, CM Siddaramaiah said 38 per cent of people now live in the municipality and urban limits, and the government must provide water supply, sewage network, power and transport. 

BENGALURU: At the 3-day 17th International Conference and Exhibition ‘Municipalika-2023’ held at Palace Grounds in the city, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) and Chittapura Town Municipal Corporation (CTMC) grab visitors’ attention with their initiative of turning floral waste collected from temple, dargah and markets into agarbattis (incense sticks).

Sheetal Ramatheertha, senior health inspector, BCC, said that around 300 kilos of floral waste is generated daily in the corporation limits. This is collected and ground to be reduced to 50 kilos, at a facility in the Ashoka Nagar Wholesale Flower Market, Belagavi. Once reduced, it is processed into aromatic agarbattis and sold by Self Help Groups.

Assistant Executive Engineer, Environment, BCC, HV Kaladagi said, the facility was inaugurated by Subash B Adi, former Upalokayukta and chairperson of National Green Tribunal four months ago. “The floral waste that would usually end up in landfills, was being collected separately, and was reduced to powder. Along with flower powder, wood gum and glycol are used to make about 20,000 incense sticks, daily,” he said.

The SHGs are being helped with raw materials like flower powder to make the agarbatti, added the official. He further stated that it cost about Rs 2 lakh for BCC to install a grinding machine, agarbatti rolling machine and to set up the shed.

“The SHGs have to pay only for electricity and purchase their own bamboo sticks, as the corporation is taking care of raw material. These incense sticks are then given to companies,” he said and added that the Saundatti Yellamma Temple officials have contacted them for the agarbattis.

BENGALURU: Actor Shivarajkumar and DyCM DK Shivakumar were among the dignitaries who visited ailing actress Leelavathi at her house in Soladevanahalli near Nelamangala on Tuesday. Leelavathi is suffering from age-related ailments. Shivarajkumar, who met Leelavathi along with his wife Geetha, told reporters that the veteran actress could identify him.

She has the strength to endure pain even at this age. It is painful to see her in this state, he said, comforting Leelavathi’s actor son Vinod Raj. Shivakumar said paying heed to Leelavathi’s request, he had come to inaugurate Dr Leelavathi Veterinary Hospital.

“Leelavathi only earned name and fame, but not money in the film industry. Without getting any financial help or CSR fund, she managed to build the hospital,” Shivakumar said. The government is contemplating providing pension to co-artistes and technicians who work behind the screen. “Through the KFCC, Leelavathi had requested the government to give pension to them,” Shivakumar said, adding that he will take it up with the chief minister soon.

BENGALURU: Thanks to the alert and honest homeguards of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a bank employee, who had lost her gold ring worth over Rs 30,000 during a metro ride on Monday evening on the crowded purple line, got it back on Tuesday. 

Divya Priyadarshini, employed as an Associate at State Bank of India’s Hoskote branch, regularly takes the Metro from Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Metro station to Benniganahalli station, from where she takes a bus to her office. She told TNIE, “I was returning from work on Monday in a jam-packed train. As I was leaving KSR Metro station, I realised the ring was missing and approached customer care and told them I might have lost it in the train. I was directed to the Station Controller, who assured me that they would do their best to find it and a message would be relayed to all the stations. 

Homeguards Shilpa G R and Eshwaramma, who had spotted a ring embedded with stones near the Ladies Coach on a train when it stopped at Platform 2 of Benniganahalli Metro station on Monday around 6.45 pm, handed it over to the Assistant Safety Officer, BMRCL, K N Rajanna. 

On Monday night, Divya received a call about a ring that was found at Bennigenahalli station and was asked to identify if it were hers and produce some proof of purchase. The following morning she visited the control room of the station and presented pictures of the ring on her phone. “I was happy to find that the ring was indeed mine,” she said.

BENGALURU: In a gross violation of safety norms, a special train for the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel was carrying 61 gas cylinders from Doddaballapur station in Bengaluru Railway Division to Koraput station of Odisha. The train was not allowed to depart by railway officials. The cylinders were offloaded and sent by truck back to the BSF post.

The violation was detected on November 19 on a Troop Movement train, a 20-coach train allotted just for the security personnel.

Divisional Railway Manager Yogesh Mohan told TNIE, “Carrying crackers or any inflammable substance is an offence under Section 164 of the Railway Act. The Railway system is not designed to carry any inflammable substance.”

The cylinders were spread across the 20-coach train, which originated from Doddaballapur. While 18 cylinders were full, 20 were partially full and 23 empty.

In line with a recent Railway Board directive, safety checks are being intensified across railway stations and trains. “No permission was sought in connection with carrying the cylinders and we would not have given it too as it is a safety risk in a train carrying so many cylinders. They were made to offload the cylinders which were despatched by a truck to their office. Only the security personnel were allowed to travel,” he said.

Record booking of ticketless passengers by Bengaluru Div. October turned out to be a special month in the history of the 42-year-old Bengaluru Railway Division. According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Bengaluru Division, Krishna Chaitanya, “We booked 60,545 cases and collected over Rs 4.84 crore (Rs 4,84,45,835) in fines in October, which is the highest done in a single month in the history of the Division. Compared with the same month last year, it marks a 41.93% increase in terms of revenue. The break-up of cases is as follows: Without ticket 37,724 cases, irregular tickets 22,120 and unbooked luggage 701 cases. “This was possible due to an all-out effort by all the staff in the Commercial Division. Travelling Ticket Examiners achieved more than the target set for them,” he added.

BENGALURU: The 12th edition of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) is all set to kick off on Saturday, December 2, at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore. The two-day literary extravaganza is set to feature nearly 250 authors from around the world, including acclaimed writers such as Perumal Murugan, Chandrashekhara Kambara, Devdutt Pattnaik, and Gideon Haigh among others – as well as other notable personalities such as comedian Kanan Gill and actor Huma Qureshi.

“It’s a flamboyant lineup,” shares co-founder and festival director Shinie Antony.  “The keynote address is by Dr Abraham Verghese, who even has Oprah Winfrey as a fan. We have Sudha Murty, Ramachandra Guha, Daniel Bosley, Urvashi Butalia, and Ashwin Sanghi. Shashi Tharoor and his sister Smita Tharoor will give us a glimpse into their sibling’s funship and their love for language. Premchand’s granddaughter Sara Rai will be here too.”

The upcoming edition of the fest is set to be the biggest in its decade-long history and will feature a diverse selection of sessions that is aimed at fostering fine reading and writing among the younger generations. Some of the themes of the sessions include crime, feminism, speculative fiction, artificial intelligence, mythology and more.

“The festival has evolved into an entity of its own. It goes beyond its organisers, curators, and visualisers. No one person can take credit for the festival’s magic – it is a combination of its Chameleon-esque genes and that bit of abracadabra that just cannot be explained in words,” Antony shares, adding “There is no hierarchy in literature, since it travels in all directions all at once, north-south-east-west. BLF has always seen that every genre get its due. So, while we look minutely at book covers and bookshops, as well as screenwriting, we also have poetry readings and in-depth sessions on translation and speculative fiction. When Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kashmiri, Urdu, German, French, and Turkish writers get together, the discussions can only be a layered confectionery! Crime, sci-fi, start-ups, ghosts, plus a stand-up by Anuvab Pal on lit-fests...So, no topic is taboo.”

Meanwhile, like last year LitMart and ScreenLit – platforms for aspiring writers and screenwriters to pitch their ideas – are set to return. Similarly, children’s litfest is also returning. “We have three venues for children, of all age groups. It promises to be a rollercoaster ride for tiny tots as well as young adults. From puppetry to singalongs, it is a breathless curation by Lakshmi Subodh, Vikram Sridhar and Sanjana Kapur,”Antony adds.

Music also finds a special place in the festival, with performances by Kavish Seth and Avrina Prabala-Joslin, adding a melodious dimension to the literary celebration. Carnatic and Hindustani recitals start the day, with musical performances by Kavish Seth and Avrina Prabala-Joslin, as well as gamaka.

BENGALURU: India is a country that defies many rules. When we began to function as a nation, nobody gave us a chance to survive as a democracy. And yet, we did. For decades, they stereotyped us as the land of hermits and snake-charmers. Today, snakes have been replaced by python and java  – as every tech company is helmed by an Indian. There are lots of things to be proud of as an Indian – but one fact leaves me flabbergasted. It is the absurd apolitical nature of urban Indians.

Growing up in Odisha, my first brush with politics was during the 2004 General Elections. There was a nation-wide suspense over who would be the next Prime Minister. Newspapers and news channels used their newly developed Photoshop skills to predict possible scenarios. I was instantly hooked. As soon as I could, I got myself a voter ID card and dived headlong into the Dance of Democracy. Imagine my surprise when I moved to a city, and found that my urban friends never bothered to vote. Discussing politics was considered ‘uncool’.

It was almost as if an unwritten rule had been set in place – that one must rise above politics to be a person of real substance. It was a shock for someone who always assumed that higher literacy rates automatically translated to higher voting rates. But India is more complicated than simple assumptions and direct correlations. Take Bengaluru for example – the city of gardens, startups, and beer – but Bengalureans fare terribly in voting rates.

So why does Urban India not care to vote? I have asked my city friends this question for more than a decade now. The answers always come with Multiple Choice Answers - ‘How does it matter?’, or the classic ‘All parties are corrupt anyway’. Then you have the intellectual ‘I don’t believe elections are the solution to India’s problems’. There’s also the classic ‘I can’t stand in a long line’ – unless of course it’s the new iPhone model releasing, or a Taylor Swift concert. These are all, of course, terrible excuses.

The truth is, urban Indians consider politics to be below them. They regard elections and politics to be the refuge of poor people who are still dependent on the people in power. In our sparkling office spaces, we consider being apolitical to be a sign of evolution. But everything around is political. Art is political, films are political, politics is political. I can understand if Chinese or Saudi Arabians claimed to be apolitical, but for citizens of the largest democracy to say they are apolitical is a little tragic. It is akin to being an ostrich that buries its head in the sand and pretends that Bobby Deol is not the greatest actor who ever existed!

So how do we get urban Indians to vote? By using social media, obviously. Get Jhanvi Kapoor and Ananya Pandey to talk about the voting process. Create an app that delivers voter ID cards to people. Introduce scratch cards in the ballot process. But most importantly, explain to the masses that the Parliament and Assembly are nothing but large-scale Bigg Boss houses. Explain to them that independent candidates are wild card entries. For if there’s one thing urban Indians love to vote for, it is for Bigg Boss nominations!!

(The writers’ views are their own)

Hriday Ranjan

Urban Bourbon

(Writer, comedian)

BENGALURU: It can be hard to imagine a time when you go on a road trip and all you have are two rolls of film to capture all your near-perfect moments. But, before digital cameras became the norm, film photography was the only way to keep our precious memories safe in an album. But these days, many young people are returning to this antiquated mode of photography as they look for a sense of intimacy and meaning through the art form.

Sumanth Shivakumar, founder of Miles on Film, a film photography club in the city says, “I did not want to create digital junk which is why I never picked up a digital camera.” Shivakumar started the club in 2019 and has built a community of 180 people. “Most of the members are in their mid-20s,” he adds. Talking about the revival of analogue, Shivakumar says that the market has also picked up on the sentiment, “When I started, I bought a mint edition film camera for Rs 1000. Now the same camera is selling around Rs 10-12000.”

While Shivakumar agrees it has become cool to pick up an analogue camera, he also believes that the younger generation is interested because of the quality of a film photograph. “Technically, it has a high dynamic range which you cannot duplicate on a digital photograph no matter how high-end the camera is,” explains Shivakumar. However, he adds that it’s much more about appreciating the moment, “Shooting on film allows you to be in the moment. Most people are missing the moment while being busy capturing the moment.”

Not just young people, but many veterans have also returned to film. Vikram Nanjappa, founder of the YouTube channel A Roll of Film returned to analogue photography when the pandemic hit. “I started using my old film cameras in the lockdown because I was tired of digital,” says Nanjappa.

Arnab K Roy, a working professional in the city, who started film photography at the age of 24 says, “I picked it up after my father gifted me a film camera when I got my first job. He says that initially, the process of shooting with film might seem complex. Shivakumar adds that the whole process of shooting and developing is difficult which can lead to the interest dying down eventually. “I am trying to conduct more workshops with veteran photographers on how to develop pictures at home so it becomes more affordable.”

Kanike Studios is one of the few studios in the city where photographers can access a darkroom. “We usually rent out the darkroom in terms of half a day or a full day. We have all the chemicals that are needed for black and white photography and if there is a sufficient number of rolls, we can also do colour processing,” says Vivek Muthuramalingam, one of the founders of the Studio.

“People born into the digital era are also taking up analog. I don’t think nostalgia is necessarily a part of it. It’s the inherent beauty of the medium itself and the beautiful grain that has not been recreated in the digital realm. Digital only pixelates, there is no grain, and rightfully, it’s called the noise,” adds Muthuramalingam.

BENGALURU: With Bengaluru having become a tech and startup powerhouse over the last two decades, the various aspects of the once quaint city seem to have been stripped out or overshadowed by its still-growing reputation as the Silicon Valley of India. But with a storied history that stretches to well over 500 years, the city is much more than a bastion of technology. As such, a new 11-days-long mega festival that is set to kick off on Dec 1 hopes to highlight the vibrant culture of the city that has prompted so many people – from not just India, but also the world – to call the city their home in the first place.

Unboxing BLR Habba is an amalgamation of technology, literature, design, and culture that brings together various existing cultural, literary and other entities together under a single umbrella. “There was a keen realisation that the cultural vibrancy of the city does not get the attention that it deserves. The physical infrastructure of the city (or the lack thereof) routinely makes headlines. But the soft infrastructure of the city, which all global cities like Bengaluru have – a vibrant culture, and the quality of life which attracts people from across the world, doesn’t get the same attention,” shares Malini Goyal, founder of Unboxing BLR foundation, adding “Traditionally, Bengaluru has stood for startup and tech. That’s what attracts people from across the world or even across India to the city. Apart from that, the pub culture is also widely recognised. But there’s more to Bengaluru than just tech and pubs. This city has rich cultural offerings, both traditional and contemporary. And this fest aims to be a gateway to the cultural underpinnings of the city that are lesser known.”

Modelled after global festivals like Edinburgh Festival, Unboxing BLR brings together high-profile events like the Bangalore Literature Fest, Bangalore Tech Summit, Kala Koota, Thindi Puram, Handmade crafts mela, Ranga Katte (Music, theatre, dance), Bangalore Design Week and more.Nearly 500 events across the city have been planned throughout the 11 days of the fest,including film screenings, heritage walks, food fests and more.

“There were things that showcased parts of the city’s culture already happening, like the Bangalore Literature Fest, Tech Fest and so on. But they were happening in silos. They would also be held at different times of the year. So we decided to bring everything and everyone together under one umbrella,” Goyal shares, adding, “We wanted it to be inclusive of all cultural aspects, from dance, to music, to theatre, literature, design, art and so on. Unboxing BLR Habba is like one large tent that brings together everyone working for the cultural vibrancy of the city, joining forces and then creating this mega event. It celebrates everything that Bengaluru can offer to not just its residents, but to the world at large.”

BENGALURU: Often when one listens to the melodic songs from their favourite movies, they do not realise that they too are participating, albeit unknowingly, in appreciating Indian classical music and its mystical ragas. They are a tonal system on which variations are improvised within a prescribed framework of typical progressions, melodic formulas and rhythmic patterns. The upcoming concert From Ragas to Reels by the renowned singer MD Pallavi is curated to bring us a little closer to these ragas through familiar songs.

“The idea is to demystify the Indian classical raga and to present it in a way that somebody who has no understanding of the Indian classical system is able to understand and identify the structure within which a lot of compositions that one hears in their everyday life exist.” The show will be held on December 6 at the Bangalore International Centre under the aegis of the Unboxing BLR Festival.

Talking about the creative process behind curating a concert like this, Pallavi says, “The concert needs me to do quite a lot of research because I present film songs that are within a certain raga and I decode the raga.  It requires research as well as a script to put it all together in a cohesive fashion. For example, I will be presenting the raga Ahir Bhairav and there are many famous songs in this raga, one of them being the famous Poocho Na Kaise Meine Rain Bitai.”  The veteran singer is supported by a team of renowned musicians, with Amith Nadig on flute, Lokesh R and Amith Raj S on tabla, Sunaad Anoor on kanjira and Amogha Varsha on drums. Shabbir Ahmed will be the music arranger for the show.

Pallavi, who has also won the Karnataka State Film Award in the best playback singer category for the song ‘Nodayya Kwate Lingave’ from the Kannada hit Duniya, has also recently collaborated with German cellist and electronic musician Andi Otto, “That collaboration is across two countries and we have released the CD called Songs of Broken Ships. He had come to India recently and we did a series of performances featuring songs from that album,” says Pallavi. She will also be performing with Otto in Europe next month.   

Talking about her upcoming projects, Pallavi says, “I also have a new show with Bindhumalini Narayanaswamy and Vedanth Bharadwaj, called Songfarers at Sea, that brings together songs and poetry about the sea. Then I am also composing music for a new play that will be directed by Abhishek Majumdar.”