Clinic found dumping medical waste on Iblur lakebed penalised by BBMP!

January 12, 2021April 5, 2019 by RW News Network

In a rare case, thanks to resident activism, a clinic in Iblur, which comes under the HSR Layout ward, was penalised by the BBMP. When a group of residents found medical waste like used syringes and cotton used to cover wounds, they immediately looked for the identities of the perpetrators. Soon enough, they found prescription receipts of Ganesh Clinic in Iblur.

Clinic found dumping medical waste on Iblur lakebed penalised by BBMP! 1

When the news came to the notice of BBMP health inspector Vinodh GM, he immediately went to Ganesh Clinic and fined them for their offence with a warning that they should not be found repeating this crime ever again. “We have warned them that if they are found violating the waste disposal rules again. their operating licence will be quashed,” says Vinodh.

Clinic found dumping medical waste on Iblur lakebed penalised by BBMP! 2

This is the second such instance in recent times where the culprits were penalised. About five month’s ago, Baliga’s Clinic staff was found dumping biomedical waste (open syringes and cotton swabs) in front of Salarpuria apartments on 5th Main in Sector 7. At the time, Vinodh had fined them Rs 10,000 for the crime. “The staff was unaware that Maridi Eco Industries was supposed to dispose off biomedical waste,” says Vinodh. “It was a case of misunderstanding. They have not repeated the offence since.”

Clinic found dumping medical waste on Iblur lakebed penalised by BBMP! 3

If you run a clinic and don’t know how to dispose off waste, you can contact Maridi Eco Industries who specialise in medical waste disposal. This is not just to serve a warning to all the clinics and hospitals dumping medical waste on vacant sites and lakebeds, but to also sound the awareness alarm of the consequences of indulging in such an act. According to a 2000 study of World Health Organisation (WHO), millions of people were affected by HIV viruses due to contaminated syringes. In addition, when such waste is discarded in landfills, not only is the groundwater contaminated but also a health concern for all the people involved in clearing such waste like pourakarmikas, janitors and nurses.

Weekend Events: Open mic, Lucky Ali, standup comedy, sketching & doodling!

January 12, 2021April 5, 2019 by RW News Network

FRIDAY EVENTS

Weekend Events: Open mic, Lucky Ali, standup comedy, sketching & doodling! 4

Open Mic Night

Fri, 5 Apr, 6pm-11pm

Grapevine, 43, 22nd cross road, Sector 3, HSR Layout

Rs 300

Drop by for an acoustic and intimate open mic night. Those who wish to participate/perform as part of the open mic night will have to come to the venue and register by 7pm. This event is limited to music and musical performances only. Open mic nights are events where in anyone from the audience may register on the spot at the venue, and join the line up to perform.

The Comedy Fiesta

Fri, 5 Apr, 8pm-9.30pm

Sector 7 Café, Sector 7 Café, 1136, 17th Cross Road, Muneswara Nagar, Sector 7, HSR Layout

Rs 150

Comedy Shots, in association with Sector 7 Café, presents The Comedy Fiesta open mic. This is a show where comedians will try some of their new material for the very first time, so come and be a part of their journey and witness their material being developed. Come and watch a lot of new comedians before they become famous.

SATURDAY EVENTS

It Is A Laughing Matter

Sat, 6 Apr 8PM-9.30PM

Weekend Events: Open mic, Lucky Ali, standup comedy, sketching & doodling! 5

True Bleu Restocafe, #89, 1st floor, 17th Cross Road, Sector 4, HSR Layout

Rs 249 onwards (stag), ₹ 449 (couple)

A Hinglish stand-up comedy night where you don’t take anything seriously. True Bleu in association with The Blackbuck Comedy brings you a night of stand-up comedy where sports, politics, personalities, music, mythology everything is a laughing matter. Come one, come in group and we will, make you laugh! The line-up will consist of 5 brilliant upcoming comics from Bangalore: Ravi Rao (Host), Maninder Singh, Prasad Bhat, Himanshu Gayatri Parikh and Gautham Govindan.

Sketching and meet up

Sat, 6 Apr, 6pm-8pm

Kaaka Tea Café, 18th Main Road, Opp. Polar Bear, Sector 3, HSR Layout

Weekend Events: Open mic, Lucky Ali, standup comedy, sketching & doodling! 6

Free

Drawing is the process of creating an image on a surface with a tool that leaves marks on the surface. It’s an old, enduring art form people have used for thousands of years. Some artists make quick, rough drawings called sketches to figure out how to render accurate likenesses, get details right, or work out composition. Go to the club, pour your heart in the sketches along with the other enthusiastic artists like you. Get inspired and be an inspiration to others by being a part of the sketch club. If you’re a beginner, no problem at all there’s always time to start new things in life. So come join us learn something new, make new friends. Open for all beginners and intermediates.

WORKSHOPS

DIY+Doodle

Sat, 06 Apr, 11am onwards

Atta Galatta, 134 KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala

₹1000

Weekend Events: Open mic, Lucky Ali, standup comedy, sketching & doodling! 7

The event will be a collaboration between two artists wherein the product will be an interior decor product with doodle and caricature involved. Participants will come empty handed and all materials will be provided to them. It will be a guided workshop where artists will explain and help the participants make the product, interact with them, and give them ideas as to how they could decorate the product.

SUNDAY

Lucky Ali – Live In Concert

Sun, 07 Apr, 07:30pm

Chowdiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, G.D. Park Extension, 2nd Main Road, Malleswaram

₹1500 Onwards

Weekend Events: Open mic, Lucky Ali, standup comedy, sketching & doodling! 8

Lucky Ali added a note to the spectrum of popular music that symbolized the sound of a yearning heart. His distinctly different voice and soulful melodies made him an instant success in the 1990s.

Stung by criticism; BWSSB issues time table of Cauvery water release for all sectors

January 12, 2021April 3, 2019 by RW News Network

Every Sector in HSR Layout is reeling under Cauvery water shortage. With the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) providing erratic water supply, every resident and association member is up in arms. Stung by the increasing unrest among people, the BWSSB has released a time table for the whole of April.

BWSSB Time Table Download

Stung by criticism; BWSSB issues time table of Cauvery water release for all sectors 10

The Background

Sector 3 activist HM Javali spoke to the BWSSB engineers and requested them to ration water equitably to all sectors as there were allegations that certain areas were water-sufficient while the other stretches were crying for water. Even the borewells have gone dry in several areas, prompting everyone to take refuge in water tankers who have doubled their prices. Says Sector 3 resident SB Kittur: “The water tanker lobby is taking advantage of the situation by increasing the rates. There is no control on the prices. By delaying the water supply, the BWSSB is helping them make more money. Adds fellow resident Rajesh: “Yes, it’s true, the prices are increasing. For 4500 litres, they are charging Rs 1200.”

Last week, fed up with complaints from all the sectors, BNR Reddy, the chairman of The Federation of HSR Layout Residents Welfare Association met with the BWSSB’s senior engineers and threatened a dharna in front of their office if the situation does not improve within a week. Thankfully, it has, but much more needs to be done. Take today. According to the BWSSB, Sector 3 is supposed to get Cauvery water, but so far, there is no sign of a single drop, complain residents.

Stung by criticism; BWSSB issues time table of Cauvery water release for all sectors 11

At the BWSSB Pump House, there are over 200 complaints from the residents but hardly a few get tanker water from the BWSSB when the taps don’t run. Says Sector 1 resident Syed Imran: “Only those who go to the pump house and apply pressure are getting water tankers once in a while. In Sector 1, we get water once in five days whereas in Jayanagar, it’s every alternate day. This is unacceptable.” He has also complained to the chairman of the BWSSB.

In the meanwhile, there are WhatsApp forwards being circulated by the residents, quoting an analysis by the Central Government Water Committee that advocates people to stop using the shower and use a bucket instead. Similarly, avoid flushing the toilet and use a bucket instead. Don’t wash clothes in running tap; use a bucket instead. Use a mug for shaving or brushing teeth instead of a running tap. Similarly dry wash your car, and use a sprinkler for gardening, The upshot? Every family can save atleast 300 litres of water every day with minor changes in their life style. We agree and advocate these methods to everyone.

‘No election duty, please’

The agency has sought exemption for its staff from election duty citing disruption in essential services. Stating that it will not be able to function smoothly if critical staff are picked for the duty, the civic body has written to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Karnataka, seeking exemption of employees from election duty. As many as 1,150 employees, including engineers, clerks, inspectors, valvemen and other worker are asked to attend training sessions for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Six-year-old HSR resident shares DIY composting tips on YouTube!

January 12, 2021April 1, 2019 by RW News Network

HSR Layout resident Prachi, a six-year-old, shares her tips on how to start composting at home through the aerobic method.

Not only has her mother Lalithamba BV recorded this but also uploaded it on YouTube for mass consumption. The video was uploaded on October 2, Swachchata Diwas, and has already recorded over 300 views and gotten six subscribers.

We would like you to watch this as well, because if there is zero wet waste coming out of your house, there will be fewer landfills. You can watch Prachi’s video here. Two days earlier, she had shared a short video on the benefits of aerobic composting here which garnered 170 views. Way to go!

Six-year-old HSR resident shares DIY composting tips on YouTube! 12

A view of HSR Layout from the heavens!

January 12, 2021April 1, 2019 by RW News Network

Sai Baba temple in Sector 3 encroaches another section of median park; BBMP looks the other way!

January 12, 2021March 26, 2019 by RW News Network

In what is a blatant violation yet again by the Sai Baba temple authorities, they have brazenly encroached another large stretch of the median park on 19th Main Road in Sector 3, HSR Layout, to build a metal and concrete structure. This is in addition to the median park they had already encroached several years ago to build the temple. Despite protests and complaints from residents, no action is taken in the last one month.

“The temple itself is illegal and the MLA himself said many years ago that the BMTF has been given orders to demolish it, but nothing has been done on this, and now this additional violation reeks of the rotten system we have today,” said one Sector 3 resident on condition of anonymity. The temple came up many years ago despite vociferous protests from the residents due to MLA Satish Reddy’s blessings. The residents blame him for the mess caused by the temple today, like traffic jams whenever festivals happen.

One BBMP official said, “The engineers should take action. In the beginning, the residents opposed when they saw the sheet structure. Now, the temple authorities have concretised the floor as well.”

We urge BBMP engineer Srinivas and Joint Commissioner (Bommanahalli) Dr Soujanya to immediately take action and send the right message to the encroachers of public spaces across HSR Layout and Bangalore. “We don’t want them to say ‘election duty’ and get away with this,” said one resident. “Encroaching a public park is a serious offence. No excuse is a good excuse. They have to take action now.”

We have informed both Srinivas and Dr Soujanya. We will keep you posted on what happens next.

Use steel cutlery for celebrations, say residents and offer a rental service

January 12, 2021March 22, 2019 by RW News Network

Hasiru Mithra, a group of HSR Layout residents, that works towards bettering the neighbourhood selflessly also offer an affordable steel cutlery rental service. This is perfect for the upcoming festive occasions. In fact, these are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and just about any occasion that requires you to rent cutlery. Instead of going plastic, go steel. Not only is it environment-friendly, it also saves you from getting diseases like cancer due to plastic usage.

Use steel cutlery for celebrations, say residents and offer a rental service 20

Use steel cutlery for celebrations, say residents and offer a rental service 21

Use steel cutlery for celebrations, say residents and offer a rental service 22

BYOC is the new buzzword, and it means ‘bring your own cutlery’. Thanks to their venture, little ones are now carrying their own cutlery for the Ashtami Pooja celebrations. “Take your own cups, containers, cloth bags, and cutlery everywhere, just like your wallet and phones,” says Hasiru Mithra co-founder Lalithamba Viswanathaih. “Buy from local shops, loose packaging free stuff as much as possible. Lets respect Mother Nature by saying ‘No’ to single use plastics and paper disposables, and keep taking #BYOCSelfie to inspire many more people.”

If you notice paper or plastic cups or any single use disposables in your office, attempt to make a change towards reusable cutlery like steel. Start celebrating Waste-Free functions. “We have a steel cutlery bank for any celebrations with nominal rental charges (available in HSR Layout and Somasundrapalya). Happy Eco Navaratri!”

For renting steel cutlery, you can contact Lalitha (94480-63776). Will you be the next Change Agent?

Permanent places to drop off electronic waste in HSR

January 12, 2021March 20, 2019 by RW News Network

There are temporary e-waste pickup points in HSR Layout at Ganesha temple park on 11th cross in Sector 1, at Nagarjuna Greenridge apartment complex in Sector 2 and Royal Habitat, again in Sector 2.

However, these are on specific days and have set timings. We will update you on this channel during those collection drives. But if you are looking at anytime pickup, there are two places where you can drop off your e-waste whenever you want to (see images below). In addition, if you are giving stuff in bulk, doorstep pickup can also be arranged.

70% callers in HSR seeking counselling are students

January 12, 2021March 15, 2019 by RW News Network

A women and child safety helpline in BTM Layout receives an average of 10 calls a day, 70% of whom are students. According to the helpline officials, the biggest problems they face is addiction to smartphones, losing interest in studies and getting involved in love affairs.

70% callers in HSR seeking counselling are students 25

In rare cases involving warring adult couples who don’t listen to them, such people are referred to the helpline located inside the police commissioner’s office on Infantry Road. “So far, this has happened in about a dozen cases where either the people coming to us are highly educated and adamant or people with tremendous influence,” says Thamar SM, the helpline founder. “Such individuals are sent to the commissioner’s office, so they fear the law more.”

Most cases involving adults are about infidelity and personality classes between couples. “We offer legal guidance on the phone and counselling the wife and husband in person,” says Thamar about this free service. “We have one counsellor and one person who fields the phone calls.” They publicise this free service through pamphlets, but it’s largely word of mouth. A face to face counselling session can last between 30 minutes to two hours, according to him. Counsellor Meena had earlier worked with the Santvana Kendra, a government non-profit in BTM Layout.

HELPLINE

108/6, First floor, Tavarekere Main Road, near Balaji theatre (Off Forum Mall Road, behind Christ University

Phone: 91084-45555

Alternative number: Bangalore City Police: 100 (they will direct you to area-wise NGOs.

What is HSR’s connection with the world at large?

January 12, 2021March 15, 2019 by RW News Network

For those new to HSR, the acronym stands for Hosur Sarjapur Road. But type ‘HSR’ on social media or the search engines, and you will realise that the coinage is used just as widely for completely different entities in an entirely different corner of the world. We are talking about #hsr or even @hsr that will take you to Hamilton Street Railway, a public transport agency in Ontario, Canada. Incidentally, HSR also has bus services and for all its constant updates, it uses the Twitter handle: @hsrnow.

What is HSR's connection with the world at large? 27

What is HSR's connection with the world at large? 28

That’s not all. HSR is known in a completely different way in Australia where it stands for a ‘Health and Safety Representative’. Essentially, these are health inspectors who visit workplaces if there are fears that the safety of workers is compromised. Similarly, HSR is a young science whose acronym stands for ‘Health Services Research’ that brings together social science perspectives of individuals and institutions engaged in delivering health services.

Contents

What is HSR's connection with the world at large? 29

On to New York now. Yes, HSR also means ‘High Society Radio’. It’s a podcasting service from locally sourced New Yorkers every Tuesday. Then again, that’s not all. There is a company called Health Systems Reform or HSR in short that has branches in the US, UK, Russian, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Which means, HSR is truly a global name that is significant to a lot more people than we knew until now.

What is HSR's connection with the world at large? 30

What is HSR's connection with the world at large? 31

What is HSR's connection with the world at large? 32

If you are wondering why you never came across these HSR interpretations, that’s because you might have already shared your location data to Google, so it will only give you what is relevant to your city and neighbourhood. That’s the least amount of data that the search giant has – it also knows where you went, what sites you visited, what illnesses and products you searched for, and more. But that’s another story for another day.

Haphazard parking on 14th Main & 17th Cross

January 12, 2021March 15, 2019 by RW News Network

The resident and vehicle users are inconvenienced by the the indescriminate parking along 17th Cross Road and 14th Main Roads that lead to McDonald’s junction. Not only do they narrow down these major thoroughfares of HSR Layout, but also cause much inconvenience to both pedestrians and vehicle users.

Haphazard parking on 14th Main & 17th Cross 34

Says resident AB Gowda who has tweeted to the traffic cops for action: “Vehicles parked haphazardly are blocking the main roads at this junction in HSR Layout, 17th Cross Road (McDonald’s signal). It’s the same haphazard mode in all four roads leading to this junction.”

Haphazard parking on 14th Main & 17th Cross 35 — The tiger patrol towing a car on 17th Cross Road near Star Bazaar

Although the traffic department’s ‘tiger’ patrolling squad regularly tows away vehicles on 17th Cross and 14th Main, this appears to be a never-ending ordeal to vehicle users and pedestrians. The only way to stump this out is to perhaps erect ‘no parking’ signs all along the road and not just near the junctions. But ofcourse, the best recourse is to install CCTV and automatically fine drivers violating the rules if manpower is in short supply.

One-way violations by school buses continue on 27th Main Road

January 12, 2021March 13, 2019 by RW News Network

One-way violations by school buses continue on 27th Main Road 37

It’s one thing for two wheeler riders to violate one-ways and completely a different magnitude of violation when higher capacity school buses are involved in such violations. That is precisely what is happening on 27th Main Road despite being a one-way from 24th-27th Main junction to Somasundrapalya Main Road junction.

We have highlighted about this before but the traffic police is inept at making their voice loud and heard in schools around the neighbourhood. It’s a branding issue too as residents wonder what these institutions are teaching their kids when they themselves violate the most basic laws.

Tweeting about this situation yet again, a traffic management enthusiast going by the Twitter handle ‘Kevapat’ says, “Schools have started, so has the dangerous one-way violations! 27th Main, HSR layout”. This time, he caught Rabindra Bharathi school bus violating the rule. It was Chaitanya school earlier.