SPOT CHECK: A Metro Ride After Reopening

Bangalore Metro

Stations taking great precaution, but negligible footfall By Ritika Srivatsan Namma Metro has now begun operating both Purple (Baiyyappanahalli-Mysore Road) and Green lines after a five-month hiatus. The Nagasandra-Yelachenahalli (Green line) stretch became functional yesterday; joining its counterpart which began working three days ago. Increased security, handsfree thermal screening and smartcards Security staff donning personal … Read more

MedPlus in the dock: Package shows with respirator; mask delivered without valve

MedPlus in the dock: Package shows with respirator; mask delivered without valve 3

By Zahid H Javali MedPlus is at it again. After we broke the story about how fake N95 masks are being sold by the Hyderabad-based online pharmacy chain, there is some visible change. Now, instead of a non-branded packaging of masks in an open and transparent plastic cover, they are sending the masks in a … Read more

No sports stadium, will improve existing playground: BBMP

By Qamar ZJ Call it a PR disaster or blame the over-enthusiastic architects who drafted a grand plan for a multi-purpose sports stadium in HSR Layout, but BBMP is now retracing its steps. It is no longer calling it a stadium with focus on cricket, but an open playground that will be improved at a … Read more

COVID-19: Experts recommend alternative medicine to boost your immunity

alternative medicine

By Ritika Srivatsan Since there is no vaccine available yet to prevent COVID-19, experts have stressed on the importance of acquiring better immunity. Therefore, alternative and natural immunity-boosting therapies, such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Reiki, are becoming increasingly popular. Alternative practitioners advocate that drinking herbal concoctions elevate a person’s immunity. They add that fumigating homes … Read more

Police auctions abandoned vehicles; onlookers violate social distancing norms

abandoned vehicles

By Ritika Srivatsan On September 6, huge crowds gathered for hours on 27th Main, near HSR Layout Police Station to participate in the much-anticipated two-wheeler auction. While the police took the bids for the abandoned vehicles, the teeming onlookers violated social distancing norms, and risked everybody. The police were unable to manage despite being present … Read more

COVID-19: Bengaluru’s air pollution is rising steadily, post-lockdown

peenya air pollution

By Qamar ZJ The pollution loads, be it Particulate Matter 2.5 or PM 10, are steadily rising in August and September compared to the relatively healthier readings in April and May. This result is uniform across all the areas where the air pollution is being monitored in the city. While some areas suffer from PM10, … Read more

‘Moral policing’ in Agara Lake, actress Samyuktha Hegde protests

samyuktha hegde

By Qamar ZJ On Friday evening, actress Samyuktha Hegde was stopped from doing her usual fitness exercises and flowing the hoops at Agara Lake. She was accused of obscenity for wearing a sports bra and practising hoola hoops. In the fracas that followed, one person threatened her, and park caretaker Kavitha Reddy called her three-member … Read more

Sports Stadium Controversy: How Goons Subverted the Civic Agenda

hsr sports stadium

By Kavitha Reddy The BBMP Grounds in HSR Layout being turned into a Rs 140-crore high tech multi-purpose sports stadium with focus on cricket has irked many citizens. Before consulting the residents, the BBMP called for tenders in February 2020. When the inhabitants got to know of it, the Federation of HSR Layout Resident Welfare … Read more

Amazon sellers are bribing users for ‘five star’ reviews

amazon fake reviews

By Zahid H Javali Amazon sellers are giving discounts, and extended warranties to buy ‘five star’ reviews on the ecommerce site. Therefore, not all products which have hundreds and thousands of ‘five star’ reviews could be genuine. The customers are advised to go through the comments, ask their friend circles, and do some due diligence … Read more

Why HSR Layout residents don’t want a sports stadium

sports stadium

By Zahid H Javali There is intense discussion among HSR Layout residents on why a multi-purpose sports stadium on the BBMP Grounds in Sector 2 would be an unmitigated disaster for the residents. With the Karnataka chief minister scheduled to lay the foundation stone for this 140-crore project sometime this week, the residents want him … Read more

HSR Layout residents opposed to sports stadium planned in the vicinity

sports stadium

By Ritika Srivatsan A bid to convert the 7.18-acre BBMP Grounds in HSR Layout into a full-fledged multi-purpose stadium, with accent on cricket, has drawn flak from residents. In a meeting held on 27th August 2020, representatives from various Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) in HSR in addition to members of the Federation of HSR Layout … Read more