Fraudsters promise job at IndiGo; take Rs 1.16 lakh as refundable company expenses in eight instalments

indigo scam

 By Zahid H Javali Scamsters are getting brainier by the day and using names of well-established firms like IndiGo to defraud citizens. You can’t argue with the cheats as they have answers to every question you throw at them. The only way to smell a rat is when someone asks you for money before delivering … Read more

Crime in the IT corridor: Whitefield tops, followed by Bellandur and Koramangala

crime

By Zahid H Javali Whitefield tops the number of crimes recorded this year in the IT corridor. This neighbourhood is followed by Bellandur, Koramangala, HSR Layout, and Electronic City in that order. Compared to the crime trend in all of 2019, the biggest difference is that Bellandur has climbed up in the rankings. Last year, … Read more

A COVID-19 victim’s first-person account of surviving the virus

home quarantine

By Maneesh Ojha There is much unnecessary fear around the Coronavirus. Almost 99% of people in India have recovered from it. I was one of them. The only problem is that if you have some other serious disease, your health condition can worsen.  Shared snacks with office colleague I had one advantage. I had already … Read more

Watch a film for Rs 99 at the city’s multiplexes

multiplexes

By Qamar ZJ Shut for seven months, multiplexes across the city will open this week in Bangalore with all the safety precautions mandated by the central government. There are offers to win back the theatre-going audience as well. All tickets will now be priced at Rs 99 at most single screens and multiplexes on week … Read more

COVID-19: IISc’s free ‘workplace readiness indicator’ attracts overseas attention

workplace readiness

By Qamar ZJ Last month, we wrote about the free ‘workplace readiness’ tool released by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The latest is that this nifty resource to measure a firm’s COVID-19 preparedness has attracted attention from overseas. “We were contacted by a company in South Africa that wanted to make use of our … Read more

The ORR-Metro becoming a reality despite Centre’s delay

ORR-Metro

By Nirmala G Despite the Centre’s inordinate delay over the ORR-Metro line, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa permitted the opening of the bids for the ORR Metro line yesterday (Oct 13). This is a crucial development as cries are getting more hoarse about Bangalore lacking a proper public transportation system. Their concerns are understandable as … Read more

Safety survey: What’s your view on bus priority and cycle lanes?

Safety survey

By Qamar ZJ The bus priority and cycle lanes coming on the Outer Ring Road linking KR Puram and Silk Board are inviting mixed reactions from citizens. Now, the transport agencies are conducting a safety survey to understand your pain points as a resident, bus user, or cyclist. If you use this stretch and have … Read more

‘The Ugly Indian’ transforms Bangalore again!

film releases

By Qamar ZJ The Ugly Indian (TUI), an anonymous group of citizens are transforming Bangalore’s open spaces for many years now with ‘spot fixing’. The last one month was no exception. And everytime, the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures bring a smile to our faces and imbue a feeling of hope. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike … Read more

World Mental Health Day: How can you tackle depression?

World Mental Health Day: How can you tackle depression? 2

By Qamar ZJ Interpersonal relationships, bad childhood and stress at work are driving some Bangalore residents into ‘clinical depression’. Today (Oct 10) is World Mental Health Day. When we spoke to counsellor Sindhushri of Aware Mental Health in HSR Layout, she said that ‘psycho therapy’ can help extremely-stressed individuals as the sessions process the hurts … Read more

HSR Layout, Chikpete and Sarvajna Nagar top ‘waste segregation’ ranking in Bangalore

waste segregation

By Qamar ZJ The residents of HSR Layout, Chikpete, Sarvajna Nagar, and Hongasandra do the most waste segregation, according to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). These neighbourhoods were followed by Malleswaram and Gandhinagar. All these wards are the cleanest compared to the rest of them in the city. What has helped in all these … Read more

Suburban rail first, ORR-Airport Metro next, say citizens

Bangalore Metro

By Qamar ZJ As the Centre is citing reasons of feasibility about the Rs 14,844 crore ORR-Airport Metro project, some residents are asking the government to give more priority to improving public bus transport and introduce suburban rail. Bangalore Environment Trust, Praja-RAAG and Citizens for Citizens wrote a joint letter to the Centre justifying their … Read more

Apartments, businesses & individuals using oximeters to prevent COVID-19 spread

oximeters

By Zahid H Javali With COVID-19 crippling businesses and compelling people to stay indoors, some individuals and businesses are using oximeters as an additional safeguard against COVID-19. They are using the handy device that costs under Rs 1000 to screen their guests, employees, and patrons. While this gadget does not promise guaranteed prevention, as not … Read more