The Bengaluru Commute Podcast. Weekend News update : Cauvery Water Management Authority; BESCOM updates; BBMP update; IISc Bengaluru news; National Education Policy; I.N.D.I.A news; Indian Air Force
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Transcript:
Welcome to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast, your only companion on the streets of Bengaluru.
Here are the top stories of the week that went by.
Bengaluru Local news
1. Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, D K Shivakumar, announced plans to approach the Cauvery Water Management Authority to appeal for a revision of its directive mandating the release of 10,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu over the next 15 days. Shivakumar cited inadequate rainfall and drought conditions, underscoring the challenge of supplying drinking water amidst water scarcity.
2. In other headlines, the Karnataka Agriculture Ministry plans to introduce an AI-driven app as a comprehensive solution for farmers, stated Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy. This super app will forecast weather, and soil quality, and offer insights on seeds, crops, and related data, catering to farmers' needs in one platform across 14 languages. A centralized call centre was also launched to replace confusing helplines, aiming to provide better assistance to farmers.
3. In some more news, efforts will be initiated by the government to address vacancies in Kalyana Karnataka, assured Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil. Following a Cabinet sub-committee meeting chaired by Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge, officials are tasked with identifying vacancies and potential promotions without requiring finance department approval for direct recruitment in the region. Neglected by the previous BJP government, the Congress government had previously filled 30,000 positions, Kharge had stated.
4. Up next, during a hearing at the High Court of Karnataka's Justice Krishna S Dixit's courtroom, the State Anthem prompted an unusual scene as various versions were sung. Singer Kikkeri Krishna Murthy challenged the State Government's endorsement of the late composer Mysore Ananthaswamy's tune as the official anthem. Ananda Madalagere's impleading application supporting Ananthaswamy's tune was allowed. The hearing witnessed poets and singers, including B K Sumitra, B R Lakshman Rao, and Muddukrishna.
5. Now, onto other news, Bengaluru will experience scheduled power outages over the weekend, attributed to maintenance work by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL). From 10 am to 4 pm, several areas including Jayanagar, Shanti Nagar, Kengeri, and Jayadeva Hospital may face cuts. The complete list of affected areas is available on BESCOM's official website.
6. Moving on, civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad was initially denied entry to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for her talk on communal harmony and justice. Faculty members later intervened, allowing her access an hour late. The event, organized by the student group Break the Silence, moved to a different location due to the denial of permission at the Centre for Continuing Education, despite an email request sent a week ago.
7. Meanwhile, Bengalureans are embracing pet health insurance to cover medical costs and damages related to their pets. The concept is emerging in India, with coverage for dogs and partial exclusions for disabilities and diseases like rabies. Aniruddha Ravindra, an animal welfare officer, insured his dogs after they suffered from tick fever. Bajaj Allianz, New India Assurance, Vetina and Future Generali offer pet insurance options.
8. On a different note, renowned director Leila Alvares returns with another musical, 'Something Rotten', known for its comedic brilliance, to be showcased in the city at the Chowdiah Memorial next week. Leila, a familiar name in Bengaluru, annually presents a fundraiser musical directed by her and produced by her non-profit, The C.A.U.S.E. Foundation. Over 25 years, she's staged musicals in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, and Chennai.
National News
1. Moving on to the national news. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed concerns about the National Education Policy, assuring that the Centre won't impose it on all states. She emphasized the adaptability of NEP based on states' requirements during its launch of two books for tribal children's education in Odisha. Amidst opposition from non-BJP states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman underscored that NEP allows flexibility and acknowledged the importance of learning in one's mother tongue.
2. Meanwhile, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will deliberate on a proposal for a campaign to raise awareness about defending the Constitution at their third meeting in Mumbai from August 31 to September 1. Dipankar Bhattacharya, leader of the Communist Party of India (M-L) Liberation, noted the campaign's significance in uniting people before the 2024 national elections. Discussions on the meeting's agenda, including a seat-sharing formula, were held during Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's visit to Delhi.
3. In more news, Airbus Defence and Space will hand over the first C-295 transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force on September 13 in Seville, Spain. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is expected to attend the ceremony. The aircraft is part of the IAF's project to modernize its transport fleet, with 56 planes ordered under a ₹21,935-crore initiative. The first 16 planes will be delivered in a ready-to-fly state, while the remaining will be assembled in India at a Tata facility.
4. Shifting our focus, the E-learning platform, Unacademy, is facing criticism on social media after dismissing an educator who urged students to vote for educated candidates. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal questioned if advocating for educated leaders was a crime. The controversy emerged when Karan Sangwan expressed frustration over changing criminal laws. Unacademy co-founder Roman Saini cited a 'Code of Conduct violation as the reason for Sangwan's dismissal, sparking debates about political agendas and education.
5. In a general weather update for the country, the IMD predicts light rainfall in parts of Delhi over the weekend, with temperatures ranging from 27.5°C to 36.7°C. Cloudy skies are expected, with occasional drizzles. Thundershowers are forecast, tapering into drizzles. The city's air quality stays moderate, with an AQI of 148 and is expected to remain satisfactory over the weekend.
International News
1. Turning our attention to international news, China's President Xi Jinping is set to embark on a state visit to South Africa next week, confirmed by the foreign ministry. He will also attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, invited by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit, themed "BRICS and Africa," will bring together leaders from Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, along with Russia's top diplomat, from August 22-24. This marks Xi's second international trip of 2023.
2. In ongoing news, Herman Andaya, head of Maui’s Emergency Management Agency resigned after defending his choice not to activate the island-wide alarm system during the devastating wildfires. Herman explained sirens were for tsunamis and that people might run into the fire. Citing "health reasons," he stepped down immediately. The agency's top role now remains vacant, as the island recovers from the tragic event that claimed 111 lives.
3. In a recent development, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, reported to the council that North Koreans face escalating political repression and worsening economic conditions, citing systematic human rights abuses. He linked these violations to the country's increased militarization. Turk noted forced labour, including involving children, to bolster the military and weapons production. The Security Council's hearing was the first on North Korean human rights in six years.
4. In some other news, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan's new delimitation plan and intends to challenge the Council of Common Interest's decision in the Supreme Court, according to reports. PTI claimed that the ECP's schedule deviated from the Constitution and aimed to prolong the caretaker government. The party also criticized the presence of "illegal caretaker chief ministers" at the CCI meeting and asserted that new constituencies couldn't be an excuse to avoid elections.
Business News
1. Let's now look at some business stories. The RBI has prohibited banks and lenders from imposing penal interest on borrowers who fail to adhere to loan terms, aiming to ensure equitable lending practices and safeguard consumer interests. The RBI stated that penal charges should not be referred to as "penal interest" and should serve to instil credit discipline rather than generate revenue. RBI also urged lenders to formulate board-approved policies on such charges.
2. In more business news, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd disclosed a penalty of over Rs 14.3 lakh imposed on it for erroneous input tax credit during the transition from the excise regime to GST by the merged entity, erstwhile Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd. The penalty order was received from the Joint Commissioner, CGST & Central Excise, Pune-I Commissionerate. The company, relying on its assessment and legal advice, anticipates a favourable outcome upon appeal.
3. Next up, in some tech news. WhatsApp has initiated the rollout of HD photo sharing, allowing users to share high-quality images across the chat platform. This update will be gradually introduced by Meta over the coming weeks. The feature enables users on Android, iOS, WhatsApp Web, and desktop to share high-resolution images labelled with an 'HD' icon. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this via a Facebook post.
4. Moving on, China Evergrande Group, the real estate giant whose 2019 default triggered China's property debt crisis, filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in New York. This safeguards it from US creditors while restructuring efforts occur elsewhere. The massive implications of Evergrande's fate for China's financial system, banks, homeowners, and its liabilities of over $300 billion make the process lengthy and significant.
5. In market news, the Sensex declined by 79.30 points, equivalent to 0.12%, settling at 65,071.72, while the Nifty dropped by 19.60 points, representing a 0.10% decrease, to reach 19,345.70. Among the stocks, 1371 saw gains, 1759 experienced losses, and 101 remained unchanged. The Indian Rupee experienced a slight decline due to sluggish domestic markets and FII outflows.
Entertainment News
1. Over to news from the entertainment world. Amitabh Bachchan has praised Abhishek Bachchan's performance in the film "Ghoomer," directed by R Balki. Amitabh expressed his pride as a father and commended Abhishek's diverse and convincing portrayal of complex characters. He highlighted the film's impact on him, that led him to tears. The movie features Abhishek as a former cricketer-turned-coach to Saiyami Kher, who plays a paraplegic cricketer.
2. In news from Hollywood, Sam Asghari, husband of pop icon Britney Spears, confirmed their divorce just 14 months after marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences" and seeking spousal support and legal fees. Asghari clarified the split in an Instagram statement, expressing love and respect for each other. Amid reports of extortion claims, Asghari's representative denied negative intentions, asserting his support for Spears and dismissing allegations of exploiting her for money.
3. Meanwhile, in some news from regional cinema, Ravi Teja's first look from his pan-India debut film "Tiger Nageswara Rao" drew attention, with a gripping teaser released recently. The action-packed teaser features Ravi Teja performing stunts on a moving train, set in the crime capital Stuartpuram. The movie also stars Anupam Kher and Murali Sharma. Directed by Vamsee, the film releases on October 20th.
Sports News
1. In sports news, former India cricketer and ex-selection committee chairman MSK Prasad has been appointed as a strategic consultant by IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants. In this role, Prasad will provide crucial guidance in various domains to LSG. With a remarkable track record and experience in cricket operations, his insights will benefit the organization, the team stated. During his tenure as BCCI's senior selection committee chairman, he contributed to talent scouting and player development.
2. In more sports updates, Priya Malik secured a historic victory, becoming the second Indian woman wrestler to claim the U20 world championship. Despite an eye injury, she triumphed 5-0 over Germany's Laura Celive Kuehn. Antim Panghal, who was the first Indian woman to win the junior world title last year, advanced to the 53kg final. Displaying dominance in her three bouts, Panghal is set to defend her title.
3. Wrapping up sports news, Carlos Alcaraz triumphed in a dramatic match against Tommy Paul at the Western & Southern Open. Alcaraz secured a 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 6-3 victory in a three-hour, 10-minute thriller, avenging his previous loss to Paul in Toronto. Despite the rain interruptions, Alcaraz displayed resilience, converting his chances to reach the quarter-finals, praising his improvement and determination in Cincinnati.
Bengaluru Buzz
Switching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week
1. Get ready to witness an extraordinary musical event "THAIKKUDAM BRIDGE", live in concert, happening at the Phoenix Market City, Whitefield on the 19th of August at 7.00 pm.
2. Catch popular resident comic Nesan David as he headlines his latest special - "Bad Decisions", performing live at the Vyoma Artspace and Studio Theatre, JP Nagar on the 20th of August at 4.00 pm.
3. Enjoy a relaxing session of yoga with the exclusive "AcroYoga" workshop, conducted by the city's experts at Small World, Koramangala 5th Block on the 19th of August at 8.00 am.
4. If DIY is your thing, here's something for you! Join an exclusive "DIY Coaster Making" workshop, happening at Lahe Lahe on the 20th of August at 11.00 am.
5. You can also catch "The Indian Improv Tribe" as they return to the city with their latest special - "Then & There", performing live at the Atta Gallatta, Indiranagar on the 20th of August at 6.00 pm.
Podcasts
1. Podcasts to listen to over the weekend: Catch the latest episodes of the "Flight Path with Alok", where host Alok Anand talks to the best-of-the-best industry leaders in the aviation business.
2. You can also enjoy the latest episodes of the "Studio 1886" podcast, where host Sukhoon brings you all things work, fun and more, happening inside the BGSW campuses!
3. If you love travelling to new places, then check out the latest episodes of "Meri Duniya with Veraa" as she travels around the country, exploring new places, experiencing different cultures and quite literally taking listeners on a soulful ride!
Bengaluru Weather
1. And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. Over the weekend, the city will experience storms with thunder, lightning, and rain in the afternoons, accompanied by minimal precipitation. Temperatures will range from a warm maximum of 28°C to a pleasant minimum of 20°C. The calculated hot heat index is 30°C, factoring in relative humidity and light wind. The highest temperature aligns with August's average maximum.
That’s all for now on The Bengaluru Commute Podcast for today. I’m Anupama. If you enjoyed this episode, please do follow me on your favourite podcast and player, and leave a rating and a review as well. It helps other listeners to discover the show, and I would just really appreciate it. Even better if you know someone who would enjoy the podcast, share it with them. Make your commute truly extraordinary. The Bengaluru Commute podcast skill is now available on Alexa! All you have to do is to download the skill from your Alexa app and look for the Bengaluru commute podcast.
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Credits:
Produced by Spooler
Producer: Anupama Rajarathnam
Audio producer: Caanu Zaza
Voiceover: Anupama Rajarathnam
Script: Prathiksha Nehru
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