21st November, 2023 - The Bengaluru Commute Podcast. News update: Karnataka political news; BESCOM power outages; BBMP news update; Provident Housing Project; Bengaluru Comic-Con; Uttarkashi tunnel collapse; SC news; Punjab news; Tamil Nadu news; Yemen ;
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Transcript:
Welcome to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast, your only companion on the streets of Bengaluru.
Bengaluru Local news
1. For today, the 21st of November, let's begin with updates from the city. Newly appointed Karnataka Assembly's Leader of Opposition, R Ashoka, visited HD Deve Gowda's residence recently. Ashoka, BJP's Vokkaliga stalwart, got elected in a party meeting. He thanked PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and others for their support. Ashoka plans strategy discussions with JP Nadda and aims for the BJP to secure all 28 Lok Sabha seats next year.
2. In other headlines, KJ George, Karnataka's Energy Minister, addressed a tragic electrocution incident in Bengaluru, announcing a ₹5 lakh compensation for the victims' families. The incident occurred in Whitefield, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old woman and her baby. George confirmed an inquiry, suspending three BESCOM workers for negligence. He pledged stringent action against those accountable, expressing condolences and promising government support to the affected families.
3. In some more news, Bengaluru is set for planned power outages by BESCOM and KPTCL until month-end due to various maintenance projects, mainly between 10 am to 5 pm. Works involve infrastructure upgrades, line and pole repairs, cable shifting, and tree trimming. Specific areas will experience outages daily, including Rajajinagar, Shivananda Nagara, Maruthi Nagara, Borasandra and Thippanahalli among others. The complete list of affected areas is available on BESCOM's official website.
4. Up next, NMDC Limited faces penalties for 44-year forest violations in Ballari's Sandur. Beginning mining in 1977 without proper forest clearance, it encroached on 249.37 acres in 582.27 acres of forest. Wildlife-rich, the area hosts diverse species. NMDC admits ongoing violations. To compensate, they propose conservation on 95 adjacent acres and afforestation on 488 acres. The central committee limited the penalty to 249.37 acres, urging a forest management plan for the rest with NMDC's involvement.
5. Now, onto other news, the Tree Expert Committee has sanctioned the removal of 67 large trees along Koramangala's inner Ring Road for a 2.5-km flyover construction. Additionally, 17 trees will be translocated, and 12 trees will be preserved near St John’s Medical College. Over half are raintrees, valued for their wide branches. The BBMP's need for space to construct ramps drives this decision, following legal protocols for tree removal.
6. Moving on, Bengaluru anticipates a ₹600 crore Provident Housing project—a 15-acre themed villament development called 'Provident Deansgate' in North Bengaluru. The project, comprising 288 duplex units with a Manchester architectural theme, launches on December 10. Provident invests ₹230 crore beyond land costs to create around 6 lakh sqft. Each villa starts from ₹1.9 crore, attracting 30% pre-sales. Strategically located near metro connectivity and the Kempegowda International Airport, the project offers diverse townhouse options.
7. Meanwhile, the Children Inclusive Summit 2023 commenced at Palana Bhavan with nearly 200 children, educators, NGO staff, and school board members discussing disability, education, and inclusion. Organized by APD, the two-day event featured workshops and cultural programs to educate over 20 schools on disability challenges, child rights, and inclusivity. Shiva C Hiremath, APD Director, emphasized equal societal growth through inclusivity lessons in education. Alumni shared accessibility challenges and appreciated the workshop's aid in overcoming hurdles.
8. On a different note, the 11th Comic Con held at KTPO Trade Centre in Whitefield recently, united cosplayers, comedians, artists, and enthusiasts of Marvel, DC Comics, gaming, and more. Beyond superficiality, the event fostered insightful discussions on nuanced social issues reflected in comics and graphic novels. Rahul Monish's 'Mard Bann' tackled toxic masculinity, while Sumit Kumar explored life's challenges through animation and autobiographical work. Cosplayers breathed life into beloved characters, adding vibrancy to the venue.
National News
1. Moving on to the national news. The efforts to rescue the 41 trapped workers in Uttarkashi's collapsed tunnel made little headway after more than a week. Rescuers adopted a five-pronged approach, including creating a track on the mountaintop to drill a vertical hole. A "lifeline" pipe was inserted through debris for food supply, and vertical drilling attempts continued from the top. Multiple agencies collaborated on drilling and tunnel approaches to expedite rescue.
2. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre over the Kerala government's plea regarding the Governor's delay in deciding on eight pending bills. The government claimed this delay undermines public welfare measures and democratic principles, with some bills pending for over two years. Kerala argues that the Governor's prolonged inaction violates constitutional principles under Article 14 and denies welfare rights to its people, seeking redressal from the Court.
3. In more news, increased drone infiltrations by Pakistani smugglers have put villages in Punjab's Tarn Taran and Amritsar Rural districts on high alert. Over a week, Border Security Force personnel shot down 13 drones carrying illicit drugs. The smugglers used DJI Mavic Classic and DJI Matrice drones, with ongoing joint searches by BSF and Punjab police. Authorities plan an anti-drone system to counter this escalating threat along the international border.
4. Shifting our focus, a survey by the Medico-Legal Society of India found that inadequate staff, infrastructure, and essential medicine supplies are major reasons for doctors avoiding public healthcare. Over 400 doctors from government and private hospitals participated, with 89% citing impractical conditions and 84% expressing concerns about violence against healthcare workers in public settings. The survey suggests increased budget allocation, protection from violence, and strengthening existing institutes to address healthcare challenges.
5. In a general weather update for the country, Tamil Nadu witnessed rainfall with the IMD predicting continued rains for this week. Ramanathapuram district was issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall, while eight other districts received a yellow alert. Thiruvarur had the highest rainfall at 11 cm, with Chennai experiencing minimal rain. The forecast suggests heavy rainfall in specific areas, prompting the deployment of NDRF personnel for potential rescue operations.
International News
1. Turning our attention to international news, Israel stated that Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen seized a cargo ship in the Red Sea, posing a threat to a vital global shipping lane. The vessel, owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese firm, had no Israeli crew among its 25 members. The ship, en route from Turkey to India, had individuals from Ukraine, Bulgaria, the Philippines, and Mexico aboard.
2. In ongoing news, former US President Bill Clinton made an inadvertent tribute misstep by mistakenly honouring Senator Dianne Feinstein instead of the late former first lady, Rosalynn Carter, who recently passed away at 96. Clinton's post on social media paid homage to Feinstein instead of Carter, leading to online ridicule. His team promptly corrected the error by deleting the post and replacing it with the intended tribute to Carter, highlighting her impactful contributions throughout her life.
3. In a recent development, Right-wing populist Javier Milei secured victory in Argentina's presidential runoff, winning 55.8% of the votes against Economy Minister Sergio Massa's 44.2%. Milei's triumph marked the nation's shift to the right, prompting celebrations across Buenos Aires. Massa conceded defeat, emphasizing the new president's responsibility for the country's future. Milei, likened to Donald Trump, pledged drastic changes, advocating for a smaller state and battling inflation, while Massa warned of adverse effects on public services.
4. In some other news, Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai announced Pakistan's plan to deport all illegal Afghan refugees by the new deadline of January 2024, emphasizing that militants exploit Afghan territory for plotting attacks in Pakistan. He urged cooperation from Afghanistan, asking for the extradition of wanted terrorists. Pakistan condemned global terrorism and warned against discrediting its institutions, also highlighting the mass return of Afghan refugees as a humanitarian concern cited by the UN Refugee Agency.
Business News
1. Let's now look at some business stories. Moody's Investors Service praised the Reserve Bank of India's move to increase capital requirements for unsecured personal loans, viewing it as beneficial for banks' resilience against losses. Moody's noted that this growth heightened financial institutions' vulnerability to economic fluctuations. The recent hike in risk weights on these loans led to stock market downturns for key players like SBI Cards & Payments Services and Bajaj Finance.
2. In more business news, a petition urging contempt proceedings against the SEBI has been lodged in the Supreme Court. Vishal Tiwari, the petitioner, claims SEBI breached the court's deadline for investigating Adani Group's stock manipulation allegations. Despite SEBI's partial investigation completion, the petitioner contends that SEBI failed to comply with the court's directive and demands accountability for the delay, citing potential investor risk and market confidence erosion.
3. Next up, in some tech news. Meta Platforms announced the redistribution of its Responsible AI team across various company divisions, aiming to address artificial
intelligence-related risks. Staff will integrate into generative AI and AI infrastructure departments, aligning with core product development while maintaining support for responsible AI efforts. The move aims to bolster scalable and safe AI development, accommodating future requirements. Meta's AI lineup encompasses Llama 2 and the Meta AI chatbot, among other tools.
4. Moving on, Sam Altman, former OpenAI CEO, will head a new advanced AI research unit at Microsoft following his departure. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella announced Altman and Greg Brockman's recruitment to lead the team via X (formerly Twitter). This move follows Altman's exit from OpenAI, where Emmett Shear, Twitch co-founder, assumed the interim CEO role. Nadella affirmed Microsoft's commitment to collaborating with OpenAI, expressing anticipation for collaboration with the new leadership.
5. In market news for today, the Sensex dropped by 110.58 points, a decline of 0.17 per cent, settling at 65,684.15. Simultaneously, the Nifty decreased by 31.30 points or 0.16 per cent, closing at 19,700.50. Among the stocks traded, 1644 showed gains, 1675 faced losses, and 125 remained unchanged. In the sector-wise analysis, the IT index rose by 0.6 per cent, and the healthcare index witnessed a 0.3 per cent increase.
Entertainment News
1. Over to news from the entertainment world. The 54th IFFI in Goa will kick off with a star-studded ceremony, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. Alongside the duo, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Pankaj Tripathi, and music maestros Shreya Ghoshal, and Sukhwinder Singh will also showcase their talent. The event celebrates Indian cinema till November 28 at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. The ceremony will include unveils of film trailers and special renditions by various artists.
2. In news from Hollywood, actor Robert Pattinson and his girlfriend Suki Waterhouse are expecting their first child together. Waterhouse revealed her pregnancy during her performance at Mexico's Corona Capital Festival, flaunting her baby bump for the first time. The news sparked congratulations and playful remarks from fans on social media. Pattinson and Waterhouse's relationship began in 2018, and after keeping their romance private, they made it public by walking the red carpet together last year.
3. Meanwhile, in some news from regional cinema, the sequel to the 2018 film Goodachari, titled G2, has added Banita Sandhu to its lead cast alongside Adivi Sesh. Known for October and Sardar Uddham, this marks Sandhu's first Telugu movie. G2 will be Sandhu’s debut pan-India project and is anticipated to be released in multiple languages. However, Sobhita Dhulipala won't return in the sequel. The rest of the cast is yet to be announced.
Sports News
1. In sports news, India's World Cup final against Australia witnessed Mohammed Shami's strategic moves, Jasprit Bumrah's bouncer tactic, and Steve Smith's DRS blunder that ignited the Ahmedabad crowd. Despite India's low 241-run target, Australia stumbled at 47 for 3, instilling hope. However, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne's resilient 192-run partnership led Australia to victory, leaving India emotionally shattered in the aftermath. Coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged the team's distress and emphasized their resilience to bounce back.
2. In more sports updates, Formula One enthusiasts left the Las Vegas Grand Prix early due to a practice session delay, prompting a class-action lawsuit seeking over $30,000 in damages against Liberty Media and the event organizers. Fans holding single-night tickets witnessed a mere nine minutes of action due to a Ferrari incident, leading to a 2 1/2-hour delay. Race officials offered a $200 gift shop discount, mainly for night ticket holders, citing safety concerns for closing the track.
3. Wrapping up sports news, Indian badminton star PV Sindhu announced her training with veteran Prakash Padukone at his Bengaluru academy ahead of the Paris Olympics, praising him as her mentor, guide, and friend. Sindhu aims to regain top form for the Olympics, addressing a minor knee issue. Padukone, eyeing an Olympic gold for Sindhu, intends to bolster her game. Despite a lacklustre 2023, Sindhu aspires for a fresh start towards the year's end.
Bengaluru Buzz
Switching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week
1. Get ready for a laugh riot as popular comic Vir Das goes to town with his latest stand-up special - "MindFool - The India Tour", performing live at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium on the 24th of November at 7.00 pm.
2. Enjoy an extraordinary musical extravaganza with the "Sunburn Arena Ft. Belgian EDM duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike", happening live at the Aruani Grid, Dommasandra on the 25th of November at 4.00 pm.
3. Join a beginner's dance class with the exclusive "Bachata Dance" workshop, conducted by the Motley Dance Company at Lahe Lahe, Kodihalli on the 26th of November at 2.30 pm.
4. Immerse yourself in an exclusive "Canvas Painting Workshop", and enjoy a relaxing art session conducted by the city's experts, happening at the SmallWorld, Koramangala 5th Block on the 25th of November at 1.00 pm.
5. You can also catch the insanely funny Biswa Kalyan Rath in his latest outing, performing live at the Nexus Shantiniketan Mall, KR Puram on the 25th of November at 5.30 pm.
Bengaluru Weather
1. And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. Bengaluru is predicted to have partly cloudy conditions. Expect a maximum temperature of 28°C, moderately warm, and a pleasant minimum of 20°C. The heat index, accounting for humidity's impact on perceived temperature, could reach a warm 30°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 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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Script: Prathiksha Nehru
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