Bangalore Patrol

manjari - 7-APR-2010

Times of India along with Janaagrah launch Bangalore Patrol (starting tomorrow) says the cover page of TOI today. I tried to look for it online but couldnt find a thing about the same. But if you have a TOI around check it out, it is impossible to miss.

According to the Advertisement "Bangalore patrol involves a stringent ward infrastructure and services assessment programme with the singular aim of demanding direct evaluating and accountability from the local administrative and governance system."

They will start with 5 essential civic rights of water supply, Mobility, Sanitation, Environment and Public amenities.

It will measure the same in 198 wards. By doing so they intend to monitor the work of our newly elected representative's in each of the wards. In my opinion the best measure of performance and also at the same time we get a good idea about our city.
According to the article "Progress report will be based on simple objective performance evaluation criteria and will be freely available to the public, empowering them to demand answers" 

The Lok Satta Party public interactions meet with JP

psaram42 - 7-APR-2010

 After the recent BBMP election JP is visiting Bangalore in carrying forward the new party’s agenda. This interaction reminded us the probable scenario which might have prevailed at the time of freedom struggle.  The fight now is against the middle class apathy ignorance and above all their pretence to know best according to JP.

JP stressed on the importance of local government. An increase in per capita income alone may make the country rich but still a banana republic. He felt that with proper management the malaise like power cuts etc can be avoided altogether.

To days scenario highlights the viciously guarded statues quo by our politicians. The confused nonchalance and apathy of the voters is a boon to them. Many levels of changes are needed. JP alluded to the two major types of corruption, the extortional and collusive type of corruption. Both kind of corruption are to be tackled.

Monthly Praja Meet - Apr 2010

Ravi_D - 7-APR-2010

These meetings haven't been as regular of late. How about reviving our second Saturday early am meeting tradition? Pls leave a note here if you wish to attend. All are welcome.

Agenda: Discuss projects (Ongoing & Planned) & other Praja activities. Feel free to stay back for an open forum right after.

Venue: Open to your suggestions.

My office has moved out of Cunningham road; I can host it in my current location @ BTM Layout instead.

What's on FM radio about Bus Day this week!?

jennypinto - 6-APR-2010

Just to keep all in the loop about what's on air about bus day.... 94.3 , radio one, started Monday this week.

Busday:

Apr 7 - Car Free Day

Ravi_D - 6-APR-2010

On occasion of World Health Day on 7/Apr/2010 under WHO's 1000 Cities campaign, People of India is planning for a Car Free Day. 

"Calling People of Bengaluru to observe Car Free Day from Midnight to Noon of 7th April 2010".

Upload NIOS PPT using slideshare

vinod_shankar - 5-APR-2010

Upload an introduction ppt w.r.t NIOS.

Proud of my Corporator?

Srivatsava - 5-APR-2010

I just went across the profile of the candidate whom has won the BBMP election from my ward. I 'shamefully' admit to have voted for this person. Given that I had little info on the three candidates contesting, I just went by the party.

Now, I do realise that this great person is a 2nd PUC failure!!

Do you have any better luck, corporators that you be proud of?

And, considering that we have pushed ourselves in the levels of education since the Constitution was drafted in 1950, and considering that the urban electorate is a little more educated than the semi-urban or rural parts - Isnt it the time for us to review the minimal educational requirements of our candidates, atleast for urban local bodies?

With only such candidates on offer, can we ever expect them to understand the various issues of administration, let alone solve them? Your thoughts, rants, and solutions appreciated!!

-Srivatsava V

Soapbox Session: Politics of 74th Amendment

shekhar_mittal - 5-APR-2010

The BBMP elections are over. The results are out.

We have been hearing a lot about implementation of the 74th Amendment. What is it? Why is it so important? Why are our leaders wary of implementing it?

The next soapbox is "74th amendment" explained. I have a feeling. This topic will get our juices flowing :)

Speaker: Vishwanath Srikantaiah ( Zenrainman)
Topic: Politics of 74th Amendment
Category of Topic: Politics, Citizen Participation,Democracy
Time: 3pm
Venue: Cubbon Park, Opposite Tennis Stadium
Date: 11th April Sunday

How about a public transportation Index?

silkboard - 5-APR-2010

On the lines of this water index project, how about a separate group of people come forward to build a public transportation index for Bengaluru? Idea would be to build a single number, publish it month over month or quarter over quarter to show some trends on how public transportation related investments or policy changes are working for our city.

It is tempting to try a traffic and transportation index instead. But public transport is the bigger and better defined service that citizens want to consume. Traffic is a different beast, it caters to movement of goods and private as well as public means of mobility.

Unlike for water domain, transportation area may already have with lot of published data points. Further, thanks to a Wilbur Smith report for MoUD (Central Ministry of Urban Development), a lot of thinking too is available to borrow from.

JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) of Lok Satta - public event in Bangalore

sanjayv - 4-APR-2010

The president of Lok Satta party will be in Bangalore on Tuesday and will hold a Public Interaction. 

VENUE-----------ROTARY HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP,

                         NEXT TO HOTEL RAMA
                         LAVELLE ROAD.

Interested folks are welcome.