4th October, 2023 - The Bengaluru Commute Podcast. News update : CWMA update; BBMP news update; Namma Metro news; Vidhana Soudha; Chattisgarh news; ED news; Bihar caste survey reports; ISRO news; Russia news; Japan hottest month ; mRNA vaccine; Nobel Laur
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Welcome to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast, your only companion on the streets of Bengaluru.
Bengaluru Local news
1. For today, the 4th of October, let's begin with updates from the city. Former CM Basavaraj Bommai accused Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar of misinforming about Cauvery water inflow. He stated Shivakumar claimed heavy flow, but authorities reported only 2,000 cusecs. Bommai urged to prioritize Cauvery for Bangalore over Brand Bangalore, emphasizing the need for a distress formula post-CWMA establishment. He also criticized Congress for lax law and order, citing incidents in Shivamogga and Kolar.
2. In other headlines, Congress leader Zameer Ahmed Khan revealed discontented JD(S) leaders are in contact with Congress due to dissatisfaction with BJP-JD(S) ties. They will join in a major convention at Bengaluru's Palace Grounds. He criticized JD(S) for insincerely appointing CM Ibrahim as State President and accused former CM HD Kumaraswamy of harbouring resentment towards the Muslim community. Additionally, Khan pointed out unfulfilled promises made by Kumaraswamy during the 2018 coalition government with Congress.
3. In some more news, the Karnataka transport department recently prohibited app-based carpooling services in Bengaluru, in response to complaints from cab operators. Experts' opinions on the ban are mixed. The department cites vehicle plate colour discrepancies as the basis for the ban, enforcing Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules. Offending drivers could face RC suspension and fines from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. State Transport Minister Ramlinga Reddy clarified that carpooling is not banned but requires proper permissions.
4. Up next, Bengaluru's eagerly anticipated metro stretches, KR Puram – Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri – Challaghatta lines, are set to commence operations on October 6, according to reports. The full operation of the Purple Line aims to alleviate notorious traffic congestion in East Bengaluru. The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has inspected both lines, with KR Puram – Baiyappanahalli receiving safety clearance. The Kengeri – Challaghatta line is expected to follow suit, with inauguration plans in motion.
5. Now, onto other news, the government has appointed 2004-batch IAS officer Jayaram N as the new BDA Commissioner, succeeding G Kumar Naik who retired on September 30. Jayaram previously chaired the BWSSB. His BDA role is considered full-time, likely leading to his relief from the secretary position. Jayaram is tasked with expediting the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, lagging by three years, and resolving litigation cases, including the Arkavathi Layout.
6. Moving on, activists from the coalition Horatada Hakkigagi Janandolana were detained by police while attempting a rally towards Vidhana Soudha against the ban on demonstrations at Freedom Park. They demanded the repeal of the "Licensing and Regulation of Protests, Demonstrations, and Protest Marches (Bengaluru City) Order, 2021". Dalit Sangharsh Samithi leader Mavalli Shankar reminisced about the days when protests were freely permitted. Clifton Rozario, CPI(ML) Liberation’s central committee member, criticized the ban and called it - "anti-protest mentality".
7. Meanwhile, Bengaluru's Gagana S and Kushi Sudir, private school students, clinched gold in 'Duo Kata' at the 30th Shotokan karate championship in Greece recently. Organized by Shotokan Karate-Do of the United Nations, Unifight Greece, and Takishoku School of Martial Arts, the event also saw Gagana winning silver in a mixed duel. Gagana, in class 8, and Kushi, in class 6 at Cluny Convent High School, Malleswaram, were guided by Mahalakshmi Varun and Kasturi Rajendran.
8. On a different note, the crucial Desferal injection for thalassemia patients, once free in major government hospitals, has vanished, impacting around 17,000 patients in Karnataka. Despite tenders for procurement, there were no takers. Novartis is the sole producer. Some patients report side effects from Deferasirox tablets in government hospitals, provided by the generic brand. Obtaining both tablets and injections from private shops could escalate monthly expenses to Rs 6,700. A health department official pledged to investigate patient complaints.
National News
1. Moving on to the national news. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled and initiated development projects worth ₹27,000 crore in Chhattisgarh, including NMDC Steel Ltd’s Nagarnar plant. Costing over ₹23,800 crore, it's a greenfield project set to produce high-quality steel, offering significant employment opportunities and boosting the region's socio-economic development. PM Modi emphasized that true progress lies in the development of every corner of the nation.
2. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court instructed the Enforcement Directorate to uphold high standards of integrity, and fairness, and avoid vindictiveness. This directive came during a hearing involving M3M real estate directors, Pankaj and Basant Bansal, who were arrested on separate money laundering charges. The court deemed the ED's oral grounds for arrest, without providing a written copy, as concerning for an agency tasked with safeguarding the nation's financial security. They ordered the immediate release of the Bansals.
3. In other news, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will lead an all-party meeting to discuss the recently announced caste survey's findings. The survey, a first since Independence, revealed backward communities constitute nearly two-thirds of Bihar’s population. The meeting aims to deliberate on the survey report's implications and gather party opinions for further action. All nine parties in the state assembly, including the Opposition BJP, are expected to attend.
4. Shifting our focus, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin honoured nine distinguished ISRO scientists, including K Sivan and Mylswamy Annadurai, with a cash prize of ₹25 lakhs each for their outstanding contributions to the nation at an event held in Chennai. Stalin celebrated their achievements and emphasized the state's growing presence in the field of science. He encouraged the youth to follow their path of dedication and self-improvement.
5. In a general weather update for the country, India's monsoon in 2023 marked the lowest rainfall since 2018, primarily due to the El Nino weather pattern, according to the state weather department. The monsoon, vital for India's economy, supplies 70% of the required rain for agriculture. Insufficient rainfall might elevate food prices, particularly for staples like sugar, rice, and vegetables, potentially leading to export restrictions on these commodities.
International News
1. Turning our attention to international news, Russian President Vladimir Putin may suggest his participation in the 2024 presidential race next month, potentially extending his rule until at least 2030, as reported by Kommersant. Sources close to the presidential administration anticipate this announcement during a November conference. However, the final decision rests with Putin. Putin has already surpassed the tenures of most Russian leaders, except for Josef Stalin and Leonid Brezhnev.
2. In ongoing news, Republican Matt Gaetz took steps to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, setting the stage for a pivotal vote that could reshape Washington's power dynamics. McCarthy's bipartisan deal to avert a government shutdown triggered Gaetz's move. This parliamentary process hasn't led to a speaker's removal vote since 1910. McCarthy remains confident of surviving the challenge, needing a simple majority to do so. However, with a slim majority and unified Democrats, just five Republicans could unseat him.
3. In a recent development, Japan experienced its hottest September in 125 years of recorded history, with an average temperature of 2.66°C (36.78°F) above normal, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. This marks the highest temperature anomaly since records began in 1898. Globally, 2023 is anticipated to become the hottest year in recorded history, with several countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Poland, and Switzerland, reporting their warmest September on record.
4. In some positive news, the rapid development of mRNA vaccines in the fight against Covid-19 marked a significant breakthrough. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania, Nobel laureates, overcame the challenges. Their work underpins Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccines, utilizing nucleoside base modifications to render mRNA suitable for vaccination. mRNA vaccines instruct cells to produce a viral protein, eliciting an immune response.
Business News
1. Let's now look at some business stories. The World Bank has maintained India's GDP growth projection for FY 2023-24 at 6.3%, highlighting the nation's resilience in a challenging global scenario. In April, the Bank had revised down the forecast from 6.6%. Despite global hurdles, India showed robust growth of 7.2% in 2022-23, the second highest among G20 nations, driven by strong domestic demand, substantial public infrastructure investment, and a strengthening financial sector.
2. In more business news, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella dismissed the idea of user choice in the search market, calling it "bogus" during the Google antitrust trial. He emphasized Google's dominance, stating that people instinctively turn to Google for searches. The Department of Justice accuses Google of maintaining a monopoly by paying billions to be the default search engine. Microsoft's executives, including Nadella, are key witnesses in the case, highlighting Google's market stronghold.
3. Next up, in some tech news. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is considering an ad-free option in select countries to comply with privacy regulations. In the European Union, this service may cost up to EUR 13/month for mobile and EUR 10/month for web sign-ups to avoid in-app purchase commissions. The "subscription no ads" plan, discussed with privacy watchdogs in Belgium and Ireland, is unlikely to be available in the US and other regions soon.
4. Moving on, JSW Cement, a part of JSW Group, is reportedly in initial discussions with Germany's Heidelberg Materials for the potential acquisition of Heidelberg's 13.4 million tonne-a-year cement businesses in India. India's cement market is notably regional and proximity to the end market affects enterprise valuations in mergers and acquisitions. Heidelberg is yet to finalize its India exit strategy and may consider a bidding process to increase competitiveness for the assets.
5. In market news for October 4th, the Sensex dropped 279.21 points, a 0.42 per cent decrease, closing at 65,549.20. The Nifty also saw a decline, down by 102.00 points or 0.52 per cent, settling at 19,536.30. Out of the total, 1583 shares advanced, 1653 shares declined, and 135 shares remained unchanged. The Indian Rupee depreciated by 12 paise due to the strength of the US Dollar and a downturn in domestic equities.
Entertainment News
1. Over to news from the entertainment world. Aamir Khan's next production, titled "Lahore 1947," will be directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi and will star Sunny Deol. Aamir expressed excitement about the collaboration, seeking blessings for the project. Fans eagerly anticipate the film's release, with some speculating about its storyline. Sunny Deol recently achieved great success with "Gadar 2," surpassing box office records.
2. In news from Hollywood, Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae celebrated their wedding in Italy at the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta. The star-studded event included celebrity guests like Nicholas Hoult, Cara Delevingne, Julia Garner, and Miles Teller. Anya's unconventional taupe gown with embroidered birds and flowers drew attention. The couple initially tied the knot in an intimate courthouse ceremony in July 2022 due to Anya's filming commitments.
3. Meanwhile, in some news from regional cinema, Rana Daggubati has joined Rajinikanth's Thailaivar 170, adding to the star-studded ensemble. Lyca Productions welcomed him, calling him "dapper & super cool." The team shared a suave black-and-white portrait of Rana. Fans expressed excitement, anticipating a stellar performance. Other cast members include Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, and Dushara Vijayan. Anirudh Ravichander is on board as the music director. TJ Gnanavel will helm the film.
Sports News
1. In sports news, the Indian women's hockey team clinched a spot in the Asian Games semi-finals, overpowering Hong Kong China 13-0. Vandana Katariya and Deepika scored hat-tricks, while Monika, Deep Grace Ekka, Sangita Kumari, Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke and Navneet Kaur also netted. India dominated from the start, securing a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. In the second, Vandana and Sangita extended the lead to 6-0 by halftime.
2. In more sports updates, in the Asian Games badminton competition, India's HS Prannoy and PV Sindhu cruised to the pre-quarterfinals with straight-game victories. Prannoy, ranked 7th globally, swiftly defeated Mongolia's Batdavaa Munkhbat 21-9 21-12 in 25 minutes. Sindhu, a former world champion, triumphed over We Chi Hsu of Chinese Taipei 21-10 21-15. Sindhu will face either Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani or Hong Kong's Liang Ka Wing next.
3. Wrapping up sports news, despite Jasprit Bumrah's return, former Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir believes he's not the current best bowler. Mohammed Siraj's rapid rise in Bumrah's absence has made him an indispensable asset in India's bowling lineup. Amir praised Siraj's outstanding progress and credited Virat Kohli and RCB for his development, emphasizing Siraj's prowess with both red and white balls. Siraj's remarkable performance in the Asia Cup further solidified his standing in the Indian team across formats.
Bengaluru Buzz
Switching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week
1. Get ready, film enthusiasts! Bangalore Film Society, in partnership with Gandhi Bhavan and esteemed organizations, presents special events: a Film Festival and Conference on 'Climate Change and Climate Resilience'. Happening on October 6th and 7th at Gandhi Bhavan Auditorium from 10 am to 5 pm, and on October 9th and 10th at Mount Carmel College Auditorium from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
2. Catch popular comic Anubhav Singh Bassi as he headlines his latest stand-up special - "Kisiko Batana Mat", performing live at the Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts on the 7th of October at 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm.
3. Enjoy an extraordinary musical event featuring ace vocalist "Sanam Puri - Live in concert," happening at the Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield on the 7th of October at 7.00 p.m.
4. Join a beginner's class with the exclusive "Epoxy Resin Clock Workshop", conducted by ace experts, happening at the Paint Cafe Studio, Whitefield on the 7th of October at 10.30 am.
5. You can also catch the incredible Vipul Goyal in his latest outing, performing live at the Nexus Shantiniketan Mall, KR Puram on the 8th of October at 5.00 p.m.
Bengaluru Weather
1. And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. Bengaluru will see relatively cloudy skies. Temperatures will range from a high of 30°C to a comfortable low of 19°C. The maximum heat index, factoring in moisture, is expected at 34°C. Note that these values are calculated for shaded areas with light winds.
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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