The Bengaluru Commute Podcast. Weekend News update : Cauvery Stage V project; Namma Metro Purple Line; BMTC; Mysuru Dasara festival; BBMP update; World Arthritis Day ; P20 Summit; West Bengal news; Kerala news ; Global Hunger Index ; Gaza conflict; USA ne
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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 CM DK Shivakumar, announced the completion of the Cauvery Stage V project amid the ongoing water dispute with Tamil Nadu. This project aims to supply drinking water to Anekal, Attibele, and 110 villages within the BBMP. Additionally, 750 MLD of water will be sourced from Cauvery Stage V, and upgrades to 20 sewage treatment plants, along with the addition of disc membrane filters, are in progress. Shivakumar highlighted the challenges posed by Bengaluru's growing population.
2. In other headlines, the Karnataka government formed a 15-member committee, led by ex-UGC chairman Sukhdev Thorat, to draft the state's education policy. An advisory board of eight members will now offer additional insights. The draft policy is set to be submitted by February 28, 2024. Committee members include retired IAS officer Sanjay Kaul, Prof S Japhet, Prof Johan Shankar, and Sudhir Krishnaswamy, among others. Advisors comprise Yogendra Yadav, Rahamath Tarikere, Janaki Nair, Valerian Rodrigues, and Sabiha Bhoomigowda.
3. In some more news, the Karnataka government disclosed that several American firms are keen on investing approximately ₹25,000 crore in the state. Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil and Electronics & IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge, leading a business delegation to the US, revealed that some firms are already in the process of investing nearly USD one billion. The delegation held 36 interactive meetings, focusing on semiconductors, defence and aerospace. Leading companies like Applied Materials, Boeing and Apple were part of the discussions.
4. Up next, in a bid to improve last-mile connectivity in Bengaluru, 37 feeder buses were introduced, starting from the fully operational KR Puram metro station on the Purple Line. The buses will run from KR Puram to Silk Board on the Outer Ring Road, addressing traffic congestion in IT park-heavy areas. Feeder buses will operate every five minutes during peak hours and every eight minutes during non-peak times. Karnataka's transport minister Ramalinga Reddy outlined plans for further BMTC enhancements.
5. Now, onto other news, Mysuru District In-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa formally invited Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the grand Dasara festival in the regal Royal City. The festival - a nostalgic tradition for Siddaramaiah, a former Mysuru resident - runs from October 15 to 24. The highlight this year will be the Aero show on October 23, subject to Defence Ministry approval.
6. Moving on, Bengaluru's Daniel Liao is raising funds for flood-affected Sikkim by offering haircuts. In five days, the skilled hairdresser collected Rs 20,000 while biking through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Supportive donors contributed an additional Rs 30,000. For three years, he has been cutting hair for schools, rehab centres, and old-age homes in the northeast. Since September 29, he's raised Rs 85,000 for the cause, transferring it to trusted NGOs through local biking communities.
7. Meanwhile, Mumbai's FMCH NGO is running a year-long initiative to combat malnutrition in expectant and new mothers in Bengaluru. The NGO aims to collaborate with 65 Anganwadi centres, assessing dietary practices and community needs. Data will be recorded on the FMCH Nutree app. Early intervention is crucial, as reversing malnutrition becomes harder after age three. The initiative includes counselling on nutritious options, emphasizing local, low-cost alternatives like millet, and providing guidance on proper breastfeeding techniques.
8. On a different note, the Karnataka Rheumatology Association marked World Arthritis Day by emphasizing awareness of rheumatological disorders, particularly inflammatory arthritis (IA), and the importance of early specialist diagnosis. Dr. Vikramraj K Jain, KRA Secretary, highlighted the condition's prevalence among women aged 30-50. While IA has no cure, early diagnosis enables effective treatment to prevent permanent deformities. Diagnostic procedures include routine tests and autoimmune disease investigations.
National News
1. Moving on to the national news. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) in New Delhi, hosted by the Parliament as part of India's G20 Presidency. The event convened Speakers of Parliaments from G20 and invitee nations, with the theme 'Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future.' Representatives from several countries attended, except Canada. The P20 Summit's agenda includes discussions on digital platforms, women-led development, SDG acceleration, and sustainable energy transition.
2. Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has invited Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Raj Bhavan for discussions on appointing vice-chancellors in state universities. The move follows the Supreme Court's stay on emoluments for interim VCs. The court encouraged a meeting "over a cup of coffee" to resolve the deadlock. The governor's office awaits a response from the CMO. The SC emphasized reconciliation for educational institutions' sake. It upheld the stay on emoluments and supported the governor's authority in appointing interim VCs.
3. In more news, the Vizhinjam Seaport, India's first deepwater container trans-shipment terminal near Thiruvananthapuram, achieved a milestone with the docking of its inaugural ship. The ₹7,600 crore project, initiated in 2015, is set to complete its first phase by May 2024. Upon full operation, it will serve 75% of India's container trans-shipment demands. The port can accommodate vessels with up to 24,000 TEU capacity and boasts a strategic location near international shipping routes, rivalling ports in Colombo and Singapore.
4. Shifting our focus, India's ranking of 111 out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2023 has been criticized by the government as an "erroneous measure of hunger," citing serious methodological flaws. The index, released by Concern Worldwide and Welt Hunger Hilfe, placed India below neighbouring nations like Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Women and Child Development argued that the index heavily leans towards child health indicators, offering an incomplete picture.
5. In a general weather update for the country, a western disturbance is forecasted to bring rainfall to most of Maharashtra, including Pune as per the IMD. Cloudy weather is anticipated, accompanied by light to occasional heavy showers. This change may offer relief from the prolonged October heat, with temperatures running higher than normal. The western disturbance is also expected to affect regions like Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
International News
1. Turning our attention to international news, the Israeli military urged 1.01 million Palestinians in Gaza to relocate to the southern enclave within 24 hours, raising fears of a potential ground offensive. Israel's request to UN staff and those in UN facilities, including schools and clinics, prompted UN concerns over humanitarian consequences. Israel's military buildup near Gaza and air strikes followed a lethal Hamas attack in Israel. The UN called for rescinding the order, emphasizing the potential calamity.
2. In ongoing news, US and Qatar officials have agreed to prevent Iran from accessing a $6 billion humanitarian fund, originally unfrozen in a recent US-Iran prisoner swap deal. The decision was made amid concerns over Iran's connection to Hamas following their surprise attack on Israel. While US officials stated no intelligence linked Iran to the Hamas attacks, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo assured the Iran funds won't be disbursed soon.
3. In a recent development, Sri Lanka has inked a pact with China's Export-Import Bank to cover around $4.2 billion of its debt, while discussions with other official creditors stall. China is the island nation's largest bilateral creditor, with Sri Lanka owing about $7 billion. This agreement is expected to aid Sri Lanka in passing the first review of the IMF program and obtaining approximately $334 million. Talks with other creditors, including Japan and France, were also anticipated.
4. In some other news, Dylan Mulvaney is an American TikTok personality advocating trans positivity. Recently, she received the 'Woman of the Year' award at Attitude Awards 23 in London, acknowledging her journey. Initially a cast member of “The Book of Mormon,” she turned to TikTok during the pandemic, sharing her experiences as a queer person. Coming out as a trans woman in March 2022, she started the popular "Days of Girlhood" series documenting her transition.
Business News
1. Let's now look at some business stories. Mukesh Ambani, Reliance chairperson, regained the top spot on Forbes' list of India's 100 wealthiest individuals, with an estimated net worth of $92 billion. Gautam Adani, last year's richest, falls to second place with a net worth of $68 billion. Notably, Shiv Nadar claimed the third position with a fortune of $29.3 billion, while Savitri Jindal and Radhakishan Damani held the fourth and fifth spots with $24 billion and $23 billion respectively.
2. In more business news, in September, India's retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, hit a three-month low at 5.02% YoY, primarily due to reduced vegetable prices. It fell below the RBI's acceptable limit of 6% for the first time in three months. Food and beverage inflation was at its slowest pace in a quarter, registering 6.3% in September. Cereal prices, however, remained in double digits for a year, despite government efforts to temper them.
3. Next up, in some tech news. WhatsApp is testing a revamped interface on Android, introducing a white top bar replacing the iconic green one in chats. This aligns with Google's Material Design 3 and enhances the dark theme. New 'outline' icons have been added in the latest beta update for various buttons. The green accent used in the app has been adjusted for both light and dark themes. Additionally, solid icons for voice and video calls have been replaced with outlines, along with the camera icon.
4. Moving on, Birla Carbon, a major global carbon black supplier under Aditya Birla Group, has acquired Belgium's Nanocyl SA, aiming to expand into the energy systems sector. While the financial details remain undisclosed, this move is set to position Birla Carbon as a leader in crucial materials for lithium-ion batteries and other conductive uses. The acquisition of Nanocyl, known for multi-wall carbon nanotubes, complements Birla Carbon's Conductex product line, providing a broader spectrum of solutions for conductive applications.
5. In market news, the Sensex saw a decline of 116.29 points or 0.18%, settling at 66,292.10, while the Nifty experienced a drop of 32.00 points or 0.16% to reach 19,762. Among the listed shares, 1624 showed advancement, 1522 witnessed decline, and 106 remained unchanged. The Indian Rupee experienced a minor depreciation due to softness in the domestic markets and overnight strengthening of the US Dollar.
Entertainment News
1. Over to news from the entertainment world. Maddock Films presented the trailer of a suspenseful murder mystery, "Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video," starring Radhika Madan and Nimrat Kaur. The story unravels a missing schoolteacher's mysterious disappearance following a leaked video. Investigator Nimrat Kaur delves into the case, scrutinizing suspects including Sajini's fiancé and a school-involved politician. Directed by Mikhil Musale, the film also features Sumeet Vyas, Bhagyashree, and others. The film is slated to release on October 27.
2. In news from Hollywood, Warner Bros released the second trailer for "Wonka," the prequel to Roald Dahl's iconic tale. Timothée Chalamet stars as the young Willy Wonka, with Hugh Grant playing Oompa-Loompa Lofty. The film, set for a December 15, 2023 release, also features Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Colman, and Natasha Rothwell. The trailer delves into Willy's early life, showcasing encounters with Oompa-Loompa Lofty and his inventive chocolate-making endeavours.
3. Meanwhile, in some news from regional cinema, Vishnu Manchu's ambitious project "Kannappa" gains more allure as Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar joins the stellar cast that includes Prabhas and Mohanlal. Shiva Rajkumar's history with the Kannappa story, having portrayed Dinna/Arjuna in "Shiva Mecchida Kannappa," adds a special dimension. With his seasoned acting prowess and personal connection to the role, his performance is eagerly anticipated in this cinematic masterpiece directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh.
Sports News
1. In sports news, the International Olympic Committee has immediately suspended the Russian Olympic Committee following its inclusion of sports bodies from annexed Ukrainian regions. The IOC deems this a violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity. The ROC can no longer function as a National Olympic Committee and won't receive Olympic Movement funding. However, this doesn't affect potential participation of Russian individual athletes as neutrals in the 2024 and 2026 Olympics, according to previous IOC recommendations.
2. In more sports updates, Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen will mentor Indian driver Kush Maini, boosting his ambition to reach Formula 1. Maini, racing with Campos Racing in his rookie Formula 2 season, holds 11th place with 60 points and a podium in Melbourne. He's become India's top F1 hopeful, with compatriot Jehan Daruvala switching to Formula E next year. Maini is confident that with Hakkinen's structured approach, he can challenge the front in the 2024 F2 season.
3. Wrapping up sports news, Lionel Messi, back from injury, hit the post twice but struggled in Argentina's 1-0 win against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifying match. Meanwhile, Brazil drew 1-1 with Venezuela, putting pressure on new coach Fernando Diniz. Argentina leads the South American qualifiers with 9 points, followed by Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Bolivia. The next round will feature matchups including Peru vs. Argentina and Uruguay vs. Brazil.
Bengaluru Buzz
Switching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week
1. Get ready for an enchanting musical evening with the "Opera Blues Rhythms: A Fusion of Voices, Strings, and Beats", performing live at the Shoonya Center for Art and Somatic Practices, Lal Bagh Road on the 15th of October at 7.00 pm.
2. Catch popular comic Ravi Gupta as he headlines his latest stand-up special - "Kal Ki Chinta Nahi Karta", performing live at the Tiger Tiger Brewhouse, Bellandur on the 15th of October at 6.00 pm & 8.00 pm.
3. This festive season, join a fun "Garba Dance Workshop" and learn the authentic style from ace choreographers at the FLUX School of Arts, Indiranagar on the 14th & 15th of October at 7.00 p.m.
4. Join a beginner's class with the exclusive "Tie Dye Workshop", conducted by ace art experts at the Paint Cafe Studio, Whitefield on the 15th of October at 3.00 p.m.
5. You can also catch the insanely funny Ravi Badshami bringing in the laughs with his latest stand-up special - "Aunty Namaste", performing live at the Tamasha Cafe, Koramangala 5th Block on the 15th of October at 8.00 pm.
Podcasts
1. Podcasts to listen to over the weekend: Catch the latest episodes of the Studio 1886 podcast and get an insider look at all the great things happening inside the BGSW campuses.
2. If travelling to new places is your thing, 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!
3. You can also listen to episodes of the "Flight Path with Alok", where host Alok talks to experts and gives you a closer look into the global aviation business.
Bengaluru Weather
And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. Bengaluru anticipates partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will range from a warm 30°C to a comfortable 20°C. The heat index, factoring in humidity, will reach a tropical 32°C. Note, that these values are based on shaded areas with light breezes. The expected maximum temperature aligns with October's average high.
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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Producer: Anupama Rajarathnam
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