The Bengaluru Commute Podcast. Weekend News update : Karnataka political news ; Zika Virus alert ; Z-category security ; NITI Aayog ; BBMP updates; Telangana news; Rajasthan ; Jal Jeevan Mission ; Himachal Pradesh ; AQI ; Canada news; Turkey news ; White
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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 CM Siddaramaiah reaffirmed his commitment to serve the full five-year term despite Congress warning against public remarks on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle. Dismissing internal party voices, he asserted - "I am the Chief Minister, I will continue." The Congress won 135 out of 224 seats in May's state assembly polls. There's been speculation about leadership transition, but Siddaramaiah emphasizes that such decisions rest with the high command of the national party.
2. In other headlines, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 'India Manufacturing Show-2023' in Bengaluru and praised small industries for their significant role in socio-economic development. He emphasised their contribution to wealth dispersion and job creation compared to large industries. The event, centred on 'Make in India, Make for the World', showcases technology, equipment, and R&D in various sectors like aerospace, defence and robotics. Organized by Laghu Udhyog Bharti and IMS Foundation, it is supported by the Department of Defence Production.
3. In some more news, the Karnataka Health Department, led by Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, issued an advisory due to the detection of the Zika virus in an Aedes mosquito pool near Bengaluru. Samples from Talakayalabetta village, 60 km from Bengaluru, collected in August, tested positive. The advisory includes guidelines for suspected cases and recommends serum testing for fever cases with Zika symptoms. Pregnant women in affected areas are advised to get tested. Aedes larva surveys and containment zones are also recommended.
4. Up next, former CM BS Yediyurappa urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to revoke his Z-category security. Despite MHA's authorization in October, Yediyurappa is yet to receive the elite security. He said that he prefers to interact freely with the local people and believes his previous security is sufficient. The decision came ahead of his planned state tour. The increased security was based on an intelligence report, and CRPF commandos were designated for his protection.
5. Now, onto other news, the BBMP plans to reactivate 455 unused Development Rights Certificates valued at over Rs 2,000 crore, following a policy change. The DRCs, part of the transferable Development Rights scheme, are issued for public purposes like road widening. Critics fear potential corruption. The revalidation process will follow updated guidelines, assessing certificate authenticity based on the 2016 rules. Builders like Prestige Group and Shriram Properties are among the owners of these DRCs.
6. Moving on, the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project's Corridor-4 i.e., the Kanaka Line's progress is stalled due to South Western Railways' reluctance to hand over land, citing complexity. Despite directives from the Railway Board's Gati Shakti director Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, there's a delay in land transfer to the K-RIDE. The NGO 'Citizens for Citizens' found the Railways' stance disappointing, emphasizing the Prime Minister's 40-month deadline for the project. K-RIDE refrained from commenting on the matter.
7. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Bangalore will present its inaugural 'International Film Festival for a Cause' on November 4th & 5th at the Bangalore International Centre, Domlur, spotlighting careers behind the camera, particularly for women. The two-day event features 10 films worldwide, including those from Portugal, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and India. The festival, curated with the assistance of film critic N Vidya Shankar, centres on women-centric themes, addressing issues from patriarchy to daily struggles.
8. On a different note, NITI Aayog, through the Atal Innovation Mission, will conduct a state-level innovation workshop in Bengaluru from November 6-8. The event, titled 'Building State-level Innovation Ecosystems', aims to foster regional innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers states and union territories a platform to exchange insights and formulate strategies for I&E development. AIM Director Chintan Vaishnav highlighted India's improved Global Innovation Index ranking, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among states to further enhance innovation ecosystems.
National News
1. Moving on to the national news. Candidates are vigorously campaigning in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram ahead of assembly elections this month. Voting will be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh, while other states have single-phase polling. In Rajasthan, former BJP member Sadhvi Anadi Saraswati joined Congress, possibly contesting in Ajmer North. In Mizoram, over 7,600 votes have been already cast through remote and postal ballots.
2. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 25 locations in Rajasthan, probing money laundering in the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' implementation. Raids focused on Jaipur and Dausa, including the premises of Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal. Engineers, contractors, and former officials are also under scrutiny. The searches are carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Earlier, BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena alleged a ₹20,000 crore scam in the mission's execution.
3. In more news, as Delhi-NCR's pollution levels approach 'severe', the Centre's pollution control panel has enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Non-essential construction is banned, and diesel-guzzling trucks are barred from entering Delhi. The Commission for Air Quality Management predicts a further rise due to adverse weather conditions. The AQI is at 402, categorized as 'Severe'. GRAP stages range from 'Poor' to 'Severe Plus', with corresponding actions.
4. Shifting our focus, the Air Traffic Controllers Guild reported two incidents of aircraft coming dangerously close in late October, attributing them to changes in ATC rules. They expressed concern over the unification of surveillance area control and procedure area control. The incidents occurred after the concurrent system's implementation at IGI Delhi and Ahmedabad airports. The introduction of the new system is unlikely to be the sole cause, according to an AAI spokesperson. Investigations are currently underway.
5. In a general weather update for the country, the IMD predicts another bout of snow and rainfall in Himachal Pradesh next week. A Western Disturbance is expected to influence the Western Himalayan Region during this period, according to Surender Paul, director of the IMD’s Shimla Centre. The weather will remain dry from November 4 to 6, followed by the arrival of a fresh Western Disturbance on November 7, leading to precipitation across the state.
International News
1. Turning our attention to international news, Canadian MP Melissa Lantsman presented a petition in the House of Commons, urging recognition of Hinduphobia. The petition, closed on October 17 with 25,794 signatures, highlighted increasing attacks on the Hindu community in places of worship. Lantsman emphasized the need for a safe worship environment, free from intimidation and discrimination. The petition, supported by 80 community organizations, calls for recognizing Hinduphobia in the Human Rights Code and addressing systemic discrimination.
2. In ongoing news, Turkey's recent arrests of journalists Tolga Sardan and Dincer Gokce, charged with "spreading false information," raised concerns among free-speech advocates. The arrests were made under a controversial "disinformation law," which carries potential prison sentences. Sardan was jailed for his reporting on the judiciary and Turkish National Intelligence Agency. The government's Center for Combating Disinformation alleged his article contained false information. Gokce, a reporter at opposition channel Halk TV, was released under judicial control measures.
3. In a recent development, the White House is moving forward with a $14.5 billion military aid package for Israel, an assertive U.S. response to the conflict with Hamas. However, this approach, led by new Speaker Mike Johnson, deviates from usual procedures by requiring offsets in government spending. This has turned the typically bipartisan vote into a divisive issue between Democrats and Republicans. President Joe Biden stated he would veto the bill.
4. In some positive news, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aims to bolster trade ties during his visit to China, the first by an Australian leader in seven years. He will attend China's leading imports fair in Shanghai and engage with a substantial business delegation. While addressing growing tensions in the South China Sea, he plans to meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This comes alongside Australia's strengthened security ties with the U.S. through the AUKUS partnership.
Business News
1. Let's now look at some business stories. AJIO, the fashion e-commerce platform under Reliance Industries Limited, introduced Ajiogram, a direct-to-consumer interactive e-commerce platform. Ajiogram aims to support innovative Indian fashion startups by offering them increased visibility and an immersive discovery experience. The platform, accessible within the Ajio app, seeks to empower the next wave of fashion startups and onboard 200 exclusive homegrown brands by 2024, spanning various styles from streetwear to sustainable fashion.
2. In more business news, Adani Green Energy, led by Gautam Adani, is in discussions with international lenders for a $1.8 billion (approx. ₹14,978 crore) loan to bolster renewable energy capacity. The funds will be directed towards solar and wind projects. The potential financial institutions involved in the deal include Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Rabobank, and Standard Chartered. The transaction is expected to be finalized before December.
3. Next up, in some tech news. Instagram, owned by Meta, is introducing a feature that allows users to add song lyrics to their Reels, similar to Instagram Stories. Adam Mosseri, Instagram's head, announced the update, expressing hope that it will enhance users' self-expression. The company is also working on more Reels features. To add lyrics, users tap the music icon while editing a Reel, select a song, and swipe left to include the lyrics, mirroring the existing Music feature on Instagram Stories.
4. Moving on, Raymond Group will acquire a 59.25% stake in Maini Precision Products Ltd for Rs 682 crore, fortifying its engineering business. Maini Precision operates in aerospace, electric vehicles, and defence. It aims to strengthen Raymond's engineering division, catering to global OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers in the aerospace, defence, auto, and industrial sectors. The transaction, conducted via subsidiary Ring Plus Aqua Ltd, will lead to the formation of a new subsidiary, 'Newco', with Raymond holding a 66.3% stake.
5. In market news, the Sensex gained 357.14 points, a 0.56 per cent increase, reaching 64,438.04. The Nifty also saw an uptick of 115.90 points or 0.61 per cent, closing at 19,249.20. Among the listed shares, 2024 advanced, 1173 declined, and 96 remained unchanged. For the second consecutive session, Indian benchmark indices ended on a positive note. All sectoral indices, particularly oil & gas and realty, recorded gains of 1-2 per cent each.
Entertainment News
1. Over to news from the entertainment world. The latest promo for Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif's Tiger 3 showcases Emraan Hashmi as the formidable antagonist, determined to outsmart Tiger. The one-minute video intensifies the personal battle, with Emraan vowing to erase the country. Tiger counters, asserting his unbeatable spirit. Tiger 3 is a part of the YRF Spy Universe. The film is set to release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on November 12, featuring a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan.
2. In news from Hollywood, country singer Andy Stone, performing as Vince Vance, has revived a U.S. copyright lawsuit against pop icon Mariah Carey, claiming her holiday hit ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ unlawfully borrowed from his band Vince Vance & the Valiants' song of the same name. Stone and co-writer Troy Powers are seeking a minimum of $20 million in damages from defendants including Mariah Carey's label Sony Music, and Universal Music Group, which holds publishing rights to the song.
3. Meanwhile, in some news from regional cinema, actor Ram Charan joins the Academy's Actors Branch, announced via an Instagram post, alongside global actors like Lashana Lynch and Louis Koo Tin-Lok. JR NTR, Ram's 'RRR' co-star, also recently joined. The Academy highlighted the actors' impact on cinema, enriching appreciation for human emotions. Earlier, 'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR' won an Oscar for Best Original Song. The news thrilled fans, questioning Ram's earlier omission from the list.
Sports News
1. In sports news, Mohammed Shami's devastating spell in the ICC World Cup 2023, alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, triggered a shocking batting collapse for Sri Lanka. Shami's five-wicket haul shattered records, making him India's leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history with 45 wickets in just 14 innings, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath. In the match, Shami's exceptional performance, including ducks for Asalanka, Hemantha, and Chameera, led India to a 302-run victory, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
2. In more sports updates, American Jessica Pegula secured a spot in the WTA Finals semi-finals, defeating Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2, finishing the group stage unbeaten. Despite already securing her semi-final spot, Pegula dominated the match, capitalizing on Sakkari's 35 unforced errors. Pegula advanced to the last four without dropping a set, emphasizing the challenging windy conditions. She acknowledged the difficulty of playing in such conditions, highlighting the need for constant focus and movement.
3. Wrapping up sports news, the National Rifle Association of India is revising the Paris Olympics 2024 selection policy for rifle and pistol shooters. The new policy will give greater weightage to quota winners and international performances. After India won 13 quota places, the NRAI aims to balance the selection process. The existing policy, introduced after the Tokyo Olympics, reduced the advantage of quota winners by modifying the points system. The NRAI is now considering adjustments to provide a fairer competition while emphasizing the current form.
Bengaluru Buzz
Switching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week
1. Get ready for an incredible musical event featuring popular vocalist Nikhil D'souza, performing live at the Phoenix Market City, Whitefield on the 4th of November at 6.00 pm.
2. Catch popular comic Punit Pania, as he headlines his latest stand-up special - "Guilty Bystander", performing live at The Underground Comedy Club, Koramangala 5th Block on the 4th of November at 6.00 pm.
3. Immerse yourself in a soulful dance performance - "The Nrityanidhi Baithak" and enjoy an evening of Indian classical dance & live music, happening live at the Bangalore International Centre, Domlur on the 5th of November at 5.30 pm.
4. Enjoy an Open Mic session and bring friends along to the exclusive "Soapbox presents Spotlight Sessions", happening at the Atta Galatta, Indiranagar on the 5th of November at 7.00 p.m.
5. You can also catch the incredible Vipul Goyal in his latest outing - "Unleashed", performing live at the BOHO Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, Brookfield Mall on the 5th of November at 3.00 pm.
Podcasts
1. Podcasts to listen to over the weekend: 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!
2. Check out the incredible Off Air with JMAN podcast where he interacts with artists, comics and creators across the globe!
3. You can also listen to the latest 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
1. And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. Over the weekend, Bengaluru can expect thunderstorms in the afternoons. There's a high chance of moderate rainfall. Temperatures will range from a moderately hot 27°C to an agreeable low of 20°C. The maximum heat index, accounting for humidity, is projected at 29°C.
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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