Category Archives: Bengaluru

Gentle Reminder: June 5th is World Environment Day

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Planet Earth Men's T-shirt (http://www.allthingscustomized.com/product/earth/)

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has designated 5th June of every year as World Environment Day (WED). On this day and a few days before and after, UNEP collaborates with national governments to highlight and propagate environmental issues including pollution, conservation, and protection.

Webcoist describes how unprecedented climate change, lack of clean or renewable energy, extensive toxic waste generation, shortage of pure water, scarcity of food resources (in under developed and developing countries), unsustainable consumption (by industrialized countries), irresponsible land management, increasing number of endangered species, and genetic manipulation of public health are the top concerns of our fragile environment.

This is just a list and there are numerous other issues that affect our environment. There is no doubt that such information can cause anxiety and unpleasantness in most of us. At the same time, such lists should also act as a trigger and ensure that we take steps to conserve and protect the environment. Towards this, 2012’s WED theme is Green Economy. UNEP defines Green Economy as one that is low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive!

The host country Brazil is initiating processes to separate different types of trash and decrease the consumption and disposal of plastic bags. While Brazil is hosting WED, three countries – India, China, and United States – have to put in maximum efforts to conserve the environment. Did you know that these three countries are the biggest greenhouse gas emitters in the world?

WED in Bangalore

Having said that, namma Bengaluru will host some events to conserve and protect the environment on 5th June. Among them, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will plant four lakh saplings across the city starting from 5th June. While BBMP is proud to announce this initiative, you must also remember that it cut several trees (a couple of months back) in the city to make way for the metro! “A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory” sums their attitude aptly! :)

What’s more, numerous banners highlighting environmental issues, including a one-kilometer banner in Cubbon Park, are part of BBMP’s WED initiatives. Apparently, in the first week of June, these banners will be joined to form a 100 Km long banner that will be displayed on NICE road. Wait, BBMP’s creative WED initiative does not stop here – this 100 Km long banner will soon be disintegrated to create beds, bed sheets, and hand bags and these will be distributed, free of cost, to old-age homes, hostels, and hospitals!

The fact remains that this is the first week of June and I have not yet heard or seen tree planting campaign preparations or eco-friendly banners. Apart from BBMP, an NGO called PRAKRUTHI and a newsmagazine called CitizenMatters have organized a Bring-Your-Own-Bag campaign in Jayanagar. Are you attending an eco-friendly event or campaign on 5th June? Do write to us and spread the message.

How do you think Avengers contained Loki, Thor,… ?

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You must have already seen the Avengers movie. If not, a quick plot summary without spoilers is that the super heroes (Iron man, Hulk, …etc) save the world from the threat of Norse gods Loki, Thor, and their cohorts. I hope I did not spoil the story because there is much to the story and lot more in the graphics and the 3D animation.

Anyway, do you think that the super heroes on Earth will fight the gods all by themselves? Think again. Wouldn’t they need some support from a super-super hero? At least, some moral support…Ohh, Come on,…after all they are mortals! Well, you may or may not like to hear this but the fact is that the super heroes on Earth got support from none other than God “Shiva”.

You still don’t believe this ? Then why do you think Agent Romanoff is sent to India to recruit Dr. Banner(Hulk)? Don’t you see any undercover operation movies? The real deal is that she needed to get God Shiva on their side and not the other gods! Shiva ofcouse stays at his home, Kailash in India. So, poor girl, where else could she go? So, you connect the dots…Ahhh, so now you ask why Shiva is not seen in the movie. That’s easy! because he is media-shy. Nevertheless, he is caught guarding the world and “ON CAMERA”. Ohhh myyyy! now you want to know how we knew about his presence. Okay that’s it! This is the last question that you are asking. Period.

Remember, last Sunday evening, the sky turned unusually reddish in color over Bangalore. We were afraid that the Norse Gods were spewing some action and scanned the skies. Then when we saw Shiva, we were happy, delighted, and then relieved!! We went back indoors and continued watching the soap opera!

Below is the picture that we captured. (Move the mouse over the image in case you are not able to identify him. we can assist you). Okay, no more questions… thanks for your attention. Bye. See you. Bye Bye. Good luck. Have a nice day. Bye!!

 

Yellow Trumpets in Bengaluru

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It is March in Bengaluru – that time of the year when the city’s greenery shrivels under the unforgiving sun. As if to brace themselves for the hot summer months ahead, most trees in the garden city are shedding old leaves and donning new, fresh, foliage. Thankfully, not all Bengaluru trees shun the summer’s sun and the Tabebuia trees are a classic example. Between February and March, these trees replace old foliage with a riotous bloom of yellow!

Tabebuia or Golden Trumpet flowers

Have you noticed Tabebuia trees as you travel past the city? You cannot miss a group of these yellow beauties, basking in the hot sun, next to the Government Museum on Kasturba road.

yellow trumpet tree or Golden trumpet tree in BengaluruThese yellow show-stoppers are not just limited to Kasturba road – popular clusters of Tabebuias stud parks and roads around Chinnaswamy stadium, Windsor Manor, and Cauvery Circle, as well.

From a distance, it is difficult to recognize that Tabebuia flowers are in fact shaped like trumpets and that they grow in clusters!Tabebuia or yellow trumpet flower bangalore

This is why Tabebuia trees are commonly known as Trumpet trees. Also, not all Tabebuias have yellow blooms – some are pink but are not as alluring as their yellow cousins!

Interestingly, these Trumpet trees that grow lusciously in Bengaluru are foreign not just to the city but also to India! They are natives of South America and bloom for a very short period between February and March.

Soon, the yellow of the Tabebuias will have competition from the glaring red of the Gulmohars! What a wonderful way for Bengaluru to welcome the festival of colors, Holi!

Is Bengaluru Forcing you to Spend on a Particular Luxury Accessory?

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Over the years, Bengaluru and Bengalureans have been tagged as friendly and tolerant! For instance, Bengaluru’s weather (temperature, in particular) ensures that residents can wear a wide range of apparel throughout the year.

This could soon change given the way the city’s air and pollution are taking shape. Residents might soon complain that Bengaluru is not as friendly as before – that Bengaluru is forcing them to buy and wear a particular luxury accessory called sunglasses or cooling glasses!

This garden city is plagued by dry air – the kind that carries a large number of particles such as sand, dust, and pollen. The number of harmful particles in Bengaluru’s dry air is increasing manifold thanks to rise in vehicular pollution and dust from construction projects. These harmful particles in the air enter your eye and cause allergies and dryness.

An astonishing number of Bengaluru residents are complaining about itchy or burning eyes. Initially ophthalmologists suggested that the main cause could be prolonged exposure to computer screens, but their diagnosis has since changed! Most ophthalmologists now suggest that you should wear cooling glasses while traveling in Bengaluru. Sunglasses or cooling glasses prevent tiny air pollutants from crash landing into your eyes and also provide relief from the glaring sun!

You are thus left with no choice but to wear cooling glasses while traveling in Bengaluru. So, the next time you spend a bomb on those designer coolers, don’t feel guilty because the doctor says it’s good for your eyes :) .

If you still need more inspiration or cannot figure out the right kind of cooling glasses, the following video featuring Tamil super hero – Rajini (in the movie Sivaji) – donning various sunglasses, could help :)