The Case for the Human Hand: AI vs Craftsmanship in schools

We are currently living through an educational identity crisis. In classrooms around the world, traditional blackboards are yielding to screens, and foundational skills are being passed over for advanced algorithms. A prime example of this shift is taking place in Karnataka, where a new policy rollout for the 2026–27 academic year introduces Artificial Intelligence as a vocational subject for Classes 9 and 10 across more than 1,600 government high schools.

The catch? To learn AI, students are being asked to drop their third-language option or displace existing vocational trades like apparel and retail.

The government's ambition is understandable. In a world saturated with technology, preparation for tomorrow’s workplace is critical. However, by forcing a choice between the nuances of language and the mechanics of software, we are falling into a dangerous trap: assuming that digital tools are the only path to a stable future. In reality, the best preparation we can give the next generation is not a curriculum dictated by the tech industry, but a balanced education that champions craftsmanship, life skills, and the enduring power of the human hand.

The Mirage of the AI Job Market

To truly understand what our students need, we have to look past the AI hype cycle and confront the data. While tech companies promise endless employment, the independent AI Layoffs Tracker recently reported over 165,000 job cuts globally, explicitly citing AI and automation as driving factors.

Furthermore, data from the International Labor Organization indicates that 25 per cent of global employment faces negative exposure to generative AI. Software changes at a breakneck pace; a tool mastered by a 14-year-old today may well be entirely obsolete by the time they graduate.

Building AI-Resilient Skills

In contrast, physical infrastructure and human needs remain stubbornly real. A machine cannot fix a burst pipe, mend a school uniform, repair a faulty circuit, or safely harvest an urban garden. These tactile abilities—which we can call "AI-resilient skills"—are incredibly difficult to automate because they rely on physical dexterity, human care, local relationships, and real-time judgement. By introducing introductory school modules in textiles, woodwork, food preparation, and appliance repair, high schools can provide students with practical routes to self-employment and immediate community resilience.

This is not a call to banish technology from the classroom or reject progress. Foundational AI literacy is highly valuable. However, tech literacy should never be bought at the cost of broader human capabilities. If a student cannot critically read, write, or solve tangible problems, giving them an AI tool simply automates their lack of comprehension.

Lessons from the French Blueprint

A brilliant blueprint for this balance already exists far from the tech hubs of India. In France, the Académie de Paris and the Foundation d’entreprise Hermès run a programme called Manufacto (The Skills Factory). Since 2016, thousands of primary and secondary school pupils have worked alongside master craftspeople to learn leatherworking, carpentry, upholstery, and plasterwork.

The goal isn't to turn every student into a carpenter, but to teach them the dignity of manual labor, the patience required to build something tangible, and the self-confidence that comes from physical creation.

A Call to Action for Karnataka’s Educators

 

Karnataka’s education department must look to these models and urgently review its substitution framework. We urge policymakers and school leaders to adopt a more balanced approach:

First, offer AI literacy without forcing a language trade-off. Introduce age-appropriate AI concepts as short, integrated modules rather than a full elective that cannibalizes language learning and cultural mobility.

Second, revive and modernize the practical skills curriculum. Partner with local craftspeople and Industrial Training Institutes to bring hands-on, tactile problem-solving back into government schools.

True innovation does not mean turning our schools into coding bootcamps at the expense of our humanity. The ultimate shield against an automated future isn't a child who can prompt an AI assistant; it is a young adult who possesses a sharp, critical mind, an empathetic voice, and the practical capability to look at a broken piece of the world and fix it with their own hands.

Does Meat Make Champions? What the Asian Games 2026 Tell Us?

 

What makes a sporting champion? Talent, discipline, coaching, investment—or something as basic as what we eat?

The Asian Games 2026 provide an interesting opportunity to examine whether a country's meat consumption has any relationship with its sporting success. The results are intriguing, but they also challenge some popular assumptions about nutrition.

Four countries, four different dietary patterns

China topped the medal table with 169 gold medals and 341 medals overall. Japan followed with 83 golds and 269 total medals, while South Korea won 39 golds and 150 medals. India finished fourth, with 21 golds and 85 medals.

Yet these countries have significantly different food habits.

Nation	Gold medals	Total medals	Population eating non-veg	Meat supply per capita/year	Population (2023)	Estimated annual national meat supply
China	169	341	60%	73.54 kg	1.41 billion	103.7 million tonnes
Japan	83	269	91%	59.91 kg	124.5 million	7.5 million tonnes
South Korea	39	150	84%	84.00 kg	51.7 million	4.3 million tonnes
India	21	85	61%	8.12 kg	1.43 billion	11.6 million tonnes

Sources: Asian Games medal reports, World Bank population data and FAO-based meat-supply statistics. Meat supply is not the same as actual consumption.

At first glance, these differences might suggest that eating more meat helps a country produce better athletes. But the evidence is not that straightforward.

What does meat contribute to athletic performance?

Meat provides high-quality protein, iron, vitamin B12 and other nutrients that can be important for athletes. Protein supports muscle repair and adaptation after training. Iron helps transport oxygen through the blood, while vitamin B12 is essential for normal nerve function and red blood cell formation.

However, these nutrients do not come exclusively from meat. Dairy products, eggs, soy, beans, lentils and other foods can contribute substantially to protein intake. Vegetarians can meet their nutritional requirements through careful planning, although vitamin B12 deserves particular attention in vegan diets.

Carbohydrates are equally important. Rice, wheat, potatoes, fruit and other carbohydrate-rich foods replenish muscle glycogen, which fuels demanding exercise. Athletes who consume insufficient energy or carbohydrates may struggle to sustain performance, regardless of how much meat they eat.

In short, eating meat is not the same as eating a balanced, performance-supporting diet.

What does sports science say?

A 2023 systematic review comparing vegetarian and omnivorous athletes found no significant overall differences in several measured performance outcomes, including muscle power and sprint tests. However, the available studies were limited, so the findings should not be interpreted as definitive proof that all dietary patterns produce identical results.

A marathon runner, weightlifter, swimmer and badminton player have different nutritional requirements. There is no single diet that automatically guarantees success across all sports.

Why do some countries win more medals?

China's 169 gold medals compared with India's 21 cannot reasonably be explained by differences in meat consumption alone.  Sporting success depends on numerous factors: investment in facilities, coaching quality, talent identification, access to sports science, participation rates, competitive experience and sustained athlete development.

India's performance is particularly interesting because it achieved fourth place despite having much lower per-capita meat supply than the other three countries. This challenges the idea that high meat consumption is essential for sporting success. It does not, however, prove that eating less meat improves performance.

The question we should really ask

Instead of asking whether meat-eaters make better athletes, perhaps we should ask whether athletes receive the nutrition they need.  Meat can be part of an excellent sports diet, but it is not a prerequisite for winning medals. Vegetarian diets can also support elite performance when appropriately planned.

To establish a genuine link between diet and sporting success, researchers would need to study athletes' actual diets, nutritional status, training programmes and performance outcomes—not simply compare national medal tables with food-consumption statistics.

The conclusion is simple: meat consumption alone is not a convincing explanation for sporting success. Champions are built through talent, training, recovery, opportunity and sound nutrition.

Ultimately, the food on the plate matters. But what matters most is whether that food meets the athlete's needs.

A Public Toilet That Nobody Could Use

(GPS photo of NTI Ground, Vidyaranyapura )

The other day, I went for a morning stroll at the famous NTI Ground in Vidyaranyapura, Bengaluru.  It was a lively morning. I noticed more than a hundred people playing on the relatively small ground. They were enthusiastic, energetic and thoroughly enjoying their morning game.

As I walked around the ground, I noticed a small stage-like structure constructed by the BBMP on the western side.  Then I noticed something else.  Behind the stage, close to the wall, a man was standing and urinating.

My first reaction was probably the same as that of many of us: Why would someone do this in a public place when there is a toilet nearby?

I continued my walk.

A little later, I saw the same man sitting on the steps of the stage. I approached him and asked, “Why didn't you use the public toilet behind the stage?”

His response made me stop and think.

“Have you seen the toilet? Are the doors open?”

I went and checked.  To my disappointment, both the men's and women's public toilets were locked. 

(GPS photo of Locked up Public Toilet)

The man then explained:

“We are senior citizens. Many of us have diabetes and sometimes it is difficult to control the urge to urinate.  Here is a toilet but it is locked, what are we supposed to do? Where can we go?”

Suddenly, what I had initially seen as simply an act of public nuisance looked very different.

Perhaps the question was not only, “Why did he urinate there?”

Perhaps we should also ask, “Why was the public toilet locked?”

What is the purpose of a public toilet if the public cannot use it?

Constructing a toilet is only the first step. A public toilet becomes useful only when it is open, accessible, clean, maintained and available when people need it.

A busy public ground is likely to have children, youngsters, women, senior citizens and people with different health needs. When hundreds of people use a public space, basic sanitation facilities are not a luxury. They are essential infrastructure.

We often tell citizens, “Do not urinate in public places. Keep the city clean.”  That message is certainly important.

But can we expect people to follow such instructions when the necessary facilities are unavailable or locked?

Clean cities need responsible citizens—but responsible citizens also need functional infrastructure.

This is not about blaming one person or one department. It is about asking a simple question: if public money is spent to construct a public toilet, shouldn't equal attention be given to keeping it open, clean and usable?

Perhaps the solution is not complicated. Public toilets at busy locations should have clear operating hours, regular cleaning, proper maintenance and someone responsible for ensuring that they remain accessible.

The next time we see someone urinating in a public place, perhaps we should pause before passing judgment.

Is there a toilet nearby?

Is it open?

Is it clean?

and how can we make Bangalore Cleaner and GREATER? 

Let’s Make Deepavali a Community Celebration

 

Let’s Make Deepavali a Community Celebration

Can we make Deepavali more enjoyable, more affordable and cleaner—without taking away the excitement of fireworks?

Every year, Deepavali brings light, happiness and excitement to our homes. Families decorate their houses, meet relatives and friends, share sweets and celebrate with fireworks.  But there is another familiar scene the morning after.

Roads are covered with cracker debris. Cleaning becomes a major task. The air can become unpleasant for a period of time, and every year there are also concerns about noise, safety and accidental injuries.  At the same time, fireworks are becoming increasingly expensive. Instead of every family spending separately, what if we celebrated together?

What if Deepavali became a community celebration?

Imagine your apartment complex, neighborhood or layout coming together at a common location. Instead of hundreds of families independently buying and bursting fireworks at different times, residents could contribute to a common celebration.

The result could be something quite different:

• More fireworks for the money
• More people celebrating together
• Less scattered debris & easier cleaning
• A stronger sense of community
• An enjoyable experience for children and families

This doesn't mean giving up individual celebrations. It simply means creating an additional community option for people who would like to celebrate together.

How could it work?

The idea is quite simple.

🏢 1. Apartment communities

Apartment associations could designate a suitable common area for Deepavali celebrations.  Residents could voluntarily contribute towards a common celebration. Families could still celebrate at home, but at an agreed time everyone could come together for the main community event.

A single organized celebration could create a much bigger festive atmosphere than dozens of families celebrating separately.

🏘️ 2. Residential layouts and neighborhoods

Residents' welfare associations could identify a suitable open area or wider road, subject to permissions and safety requirements.  The community could agree on a common celebration period and organize the event together.

Rather than one family cleaning the road outside its house and another family cleaning another area, the entire neighborhood could participate in a coordinated clean-up afterwards.

🏟️ 3. Community celebration grounds

There is also an opportunity for civic authorities to facilitate designated Deepavali celebration spaces in different parts of Bengaluru.  Suitable grounds could be identified where families from surrounding neighborhoods could gather.

Imagine arriving with your family, finding a comfortable place to sit, watching the fireworks together and enjoying the atmosphere with hundreds of other residents.  The focus could be on creating an organized celebration rather than simply creating more fireworks.

🏫 4. Schools and institutions

Some schools and colleges have large playgrounds that could potentially be used for community celebrations, wherever appropriate permissions, safety arrangements and institutional consent are available.  This could also give children and families an opportunity to experience Deepavali as a community festival.

Let's celebrate smarter

Community celebrations don't have to mean bigger or louder celebrations.  They can mean better organized celebrations.

For example, communities could place greater emphasis on visually attractive fireworks and family enjoyment, while following all applicable regulations concerning fireworks, timings, noise and safety.

A community event could also include:

• A designated fireworks area
• A safe viewing area for families
• Waste collection bins and cleaning arrangements
• Limited food or festival stalls
• Volunteers to help coordinate the event

What about the cost?

This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages.  Instead of every family spending independently, a community could pool a reasonable amount.

For example, 100 families contributing a modest amount could create a common celebration that would be difficult for an individual family to arrange. 

Local businesses and organisations could also sponsor community celebrations, while keeping sponsorship and commercial activity limited and appropriate.

What can we do this Deepavali?

We don't have to wait for a city-wide program.

Apartment associations, resident welfare associations and neighborhood groups can start the conversation themselves..

A role for Bengaluru's civic authorities

The civic administration can make this movement easier by facilitating suitable community celebration spaces, providing guidance, coordinating safety and waste-management arrangements. A pilot program in selected areas could demonstrate how the concept works before it is expanded.

But the real strength of this idea will come from citizens themselves.

Let's celebrate together

Deepavali is ultimately about light, happiness, family and community.   Perhaps we can add one more tradition to it:  Celebrating together.

This Deepavali, let's consider lighting up not just our homes, but our neighborhoods—with a celebration that brings people together and leaves behind more memories than debris.

Bengaluru’s Roads are water Logged for just one rain - Who is responsible?

(Water logged roads of Bangalore)

One good spell of rain is sometimes all it takes to turn several roads in Bengaluru into waterlogged stretches. While heavy rainfall can certainly put pressure on any city’s drainage system, there is another simple problem that deserves our attention—rainwater often has nowhere to go!

In many residential areas, rainwater simply collects on the road instead of flowing into the roadside drains. One reason is the way we cover the open drains in front of our houses. Residents understandably prefer to cover these drains with granite or concrete slabs.  But there is one important element that is often overlooked: where does the rainwater on the road go?

When the drain is covered without providing adequate openings or channels for rainwater to enter it, the water remains on the road. What may appear to be a small modification in front of one house becomes a much bigger problem when the same practice is repeated throughout an entire street. Pedestrians are forced to walk through stagnant water, motorists have difficulty identifying potholes, and water that remains on the road for long periods can accelerate the deterioration of the road surface. Potholes, accidents and inconvenience can follow.

There is another, less visible consequence. Rainwater is an important part of the city's natural water cycle. If rainwater is prevented from entering appropriate stormwater drainage systems and ultimately reaching lakes or suitable recharge areas, we lose an opportunity to replenish our water resources. Bengaluru already faces recurring concerns about groundwater levels and water availability. A problem that begins as water on a street can eventually become a problem of water beneath our feet.

So, a simple act of covering a drain—when done without proper rainwater outlets—can contribute to several problems:

1. Water stagnation on roads
2. Inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists
3. Faster deterioration of roads and formation of potholes
4. Increased risk of accidents and injuries
5. Reduced opportunity for rainwater to reach lakes and groundwater-recharge systems

So, what can be done?

The solution does not necessarily require every resident to leave the drain completely open. Instead, covered drains should be designed in a way that allows rainwater from the road to enter the drainage system efficiently.

I have noticed some streets where properly designed rainwater outlets have been provided at regular intervals. Such simple arrangements can make a significant difference.

The civic authorities could consider developing standard specifications for residential drain coverings and rainwater entry points. Residents could be required to provide appropriately designed openings at specified intervals, based on engineering requirements and the local drainage design. The exact dimensions and spacing should be determined by qualified engineers rather than being left to individual interpretation.

More importantly, this needs three things: engineering, education and enforcement.

• Engineering: Provide practical and scientifically designed drainage solutions.
• Education: Explain to residents why rainwater outlets are necessary and how improper covering affects the entire neighborhood.
• Enforcement: Ensure that new construction and modifications follow the prescribed standards.

This is not simply about preventing water from accumulating on our roads. It is about looking at the city as one interconnected system.

The water that we fail to drain today could be the water we desperately search for tomorrow.

Bengaluru's rainwater is not merely a nuisance to be moved away. It is a valuable natural resource. If every household, every neighborhood and the civic administration take small but scientifically informed steps, we can reduce waterlogging, protect our roads and create better opportunities for rainwater to recharge our water resources.

Perhaps the question we should ask is not, “Why does Bengaluru flood after every heavy rain?”

It should also be:

“What are we doing, right in front of our own homes, to help the rainwater find its way?”

 

 

 

  

When AI makes hiring efficient - but less Human

 

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way companies recruit, assess, and onboard people. Assessments can be automated, candidates can be evaluated quickly, and large numbers of applications can be processed with minimal human intervention.

On the surface, this sounds like progress.  But I recently experienced an AI-related hiring assessment that made me wonder: In our pursuit of efficiency, are we slowly losing the human element from the hiring process?

One Assessment. One Attempt. One Rejection.

I recently applied for an AI-related role and spent several hours carefully reading the guidelines and instructions before taking the assessment.  Unfortunately, I did not clear the assessment on my first attempt. The result was straightforward: my candidature was rejected.  What struck me was not the rejection itself. Companies have every right to maintain high standards and select candidates who meet their requirements.

What I found interesting was the one-attempt approach.  If a candidate spends several hours understanding the guidelines and then narrowly misses the assessment, is rejection after a single attempt really the most efficient approach?

What Happens After Rejection?

Suppose Candidate A fails the assessment.  The company now needs to find Candidate B.  Candidate B must go through the same recruitment process, read the same guidelines, spend time preparing, and take the assessment.    But what if Candidate B also fails? The company then looks for Candidate C. The cycle continues.

From the company's perspective, this means repeated recruitment, screening, assessment, and onboarding efforts. From the candidates' perspective, it means repeated time and effort.  And from the perspective of computing resources, every additional assessment consumes infrastructure and processing resources.

What If We Introduced a Learning Loop?

Instead of treating an unsuccessful first attempt as the end of the journey, why not introduce a learning-oriented approach? For example, candidates could be given up to three attempts.

After the first unsuccessful attempt, the candidate could receive appropriate feedback about the areas where improvement is required. The candidate could then study, learn, and try again.

A possible model could be:

Attempt 1 → Feedback → Learning → Attempt 2 → Feedback → Learning → Attempt 3

If the candidate clears the assessment, they proceed to the next stage. This does not mean lowering the company's standards.  There is another potential benefit.  

A candidate who has gone through the assessment multiple times, studied the feedback, and finally cleared it may actually be better prepared to perform the job independently. That could potentially reduce the effort required for subsequent reviews, audits, corrections, and supervision.

What If Three Attempts Are Not Enough?

There could still be a boundary.  If a candidate does not clear the assessment after three attempts, the candidate could be given a 90-day cooling-off period before being allowed to apply for the same role again.  Those 90 days could provide an opportunity to learn, gain experience, and improve.

If the position is still available after 90 days, the candidate could be allowed to reapply.  This creates a system that is neither excessively lenient nor unnecessarily rigid.

Efficiency vs. Humanity

AI has given businesses an incredible ability to automate processes. But automation should not automatically mean elimination of human consideration.

Someone may fail because they misunderstood an instruction, overlooked a concept, struggled with the assessment format, or simply made a mistake.  One unsuccessful attempt does not necessarily mean that the person lacks the ability to perform the job.  It should also be about identifying people who can learn, adapt, improve, and ultimately succeed.

Is High Commercial Rent & Security Deposit Fueling Footpath Encroachment?

 

(Courtesy: Deccanherald.com)

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) under the leadership of Sri.Krishna Byre Gowda, has recently intensified its drive to clear footpath encroachments across the city. While many citizens have welcomed the move, several street vendors and small business owners argue that the eviction is threatening their livelihoods.

This raises an important question:

Are we addressing only the symptom, while ignoring one of the root causes?

Encroachment is undoubtedly a problem. Footpaths are meant for pedestrians, not for commercial activities. Yet many small shops, cafés, and vendors extend their businesses onto footpaths by placing tables, chairs, display racks, or merchandise outside their premises.

Why does this happen?

One reason is that many businesses operate from extremely small shops. A café may have just enough space for a kitchen but no seating area. A retail store may struggle to display all its products within a limited floor area. As a result, the footpath becomes an extension of the shop.

Another reason is affordability.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs come from modest financial backgrounds. Renting a larger commercial space often requires not only a higher monthly rent but also a substantial security deposit . Even where tenancy laws prescribe limits, many prospective tenants report that commercial deposits remain a significant financial hurdle. (up to 10-12 times of rent as security deposit)

Unable to afford larger premises, many businesses settle for much smaller shops and eventually encroach public spaces.  This does not justify encroachment. Public footpaths belong to everyone and must remain accessible, especially for senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities.

However, enforcement alone may not solve the problem.

If the government wants to eliminate footpath encroachment in the long term, it should also examine the economic factors that encourage it. Making commercial spaces more affordable, ensuring compliance with tenancy regulations, and developing dedicated vending zones for small businesses could reduce the pressure that leads to encroachment.

As per The Karnataka Rent (Amendment) Act, 2025, that came into force on January 8, 2026, Residential deposits are capped at 2 months, commercial at 6.   However, owners are still demanding 10-12 times of rent as security deposit.  This need to be contained. 

Urban planning works best when it balances three objectives:

• Protecting public spaces.
• Supporting small entrepreneurs.
• Enforcing laws fairly and consistently.

Clearing encroachments is necessary, but creating conditions where businesses no longer feel compelled to encroach may prove to be the more sustainable solution.  A cleaner and more walkable Bengaluru will require not only strict enforcement but also policies that make lawful business operations affordable and practical.

The excruciating education system!

The Excruciating Education System: Are We Educating Children or Burdening Them?

Education is supposed to be a journey of learning, curiosity, and personal growth. However, for many students and parents in India, the education journey has slowly become a source of stress, financial pressure, and constant anxiety.

Instead of focusing only on knowledge and skills, the education system appears to have become increasingly focused on marks, competition, and commercial aspects.

Recently, our Prime Minister requested citizens to adopt certain measures to reduce the impact of rising fuel prices caused by global conflicts. Similarly, I would like to raise some questions and request the government to examine certain aspects of our education system.

1. Why the Dependence on Additional Private Textbooks?

The NCERT curriculum is designed after careful consideration of academic requirements. However, many schools insist that students purchase additional private textbooks and study materials.

Do students really get enough time to absorb multiple sets of books?

If an NCERT textbook costs around ₹100, private reference books can cost several times more. This creates an additional financial burden on parents, especially when the same concepts are repeated in different formats.

2. Are We Ignoring the Concept of Reuse?

Governments and environmental organizations regularly promote reduce, reuse, and recycle practices.

However, in many schools, students are often required to purchase new textbooks every academic year. In some cases, the content remains almost the same, with only minor changes in design or cover pages.

This raises an important question:

Are we teaching children about sustainability while following practices that increase unnecessary consumption?

A system that encourages book reuse, sharing, and recycling would reduce costs for parents and also promote environmental responsibility among students.

3. The Financial Pressure of Advance Fee Payments

Many educational institutions collect fees for the entire academic year in advance. Private tuition and coaching centers often follow similar practices.

For many families, managing a large one-time payment can be challenging.  Could there be a more parent-friendly system where fees are collected in installments?

If the education system expects parents to plan financially for their children's future, institutions should also consider the financial realities faced by families.

4. Language Learning: Choice or Burden?

Learning multiple languages has many benefits. However, the approach needs careful consideration.

A child's primary education is often most effective when taught in the mother tongue, as it helps in better understanding and conceptual learning.

Students should have the opportunity to learn additional languages based on their interests and future goals rather than feeling overwhelmed by multiple compulsory subjects.

Language should become a tool for communication and knowledge, not another source of academic pressure.

5. Attendance Rules and Learning Outcomes

Most schools and colleges require students to maintain a minimum attendance percentage.

Attendance is important, but it also raises a question:

Should education measure success only by physical presence, or by actual understanding and learning?

A student who attends every class but does not understand the subject is not necessarily achieving the purpose of education.

The focus should be on improving the quality of learning rather than only enforcing attendance numbers.

A Need for Reform

The purpose of education should be to create confident, skilled, and responsible individuals.  Students should not feel that education is only about surviving exams. Parents should not feel that educating their children is becoming an endless financial challenge.

A better education system should balance:

• Quality learning
• Affordability
• Practical skills
• Creativity
• Emotional well-being

The future of the country depends on the quality of education we provide today.

Education should open doors of opportunity — not become a source of pressure for students and families.

Have QR Codes Replaced Common Sense?

 

These days, it has become increasingly common to see invitation cards that contain nothing more than a QR code for the venue location.

Whether it is a family gathering, a wedding, a private party, a community event, or even a government function, many organizers choose to print only a QR code instead of providing the actual address.

Not very long ago, invitation cards typically included the complete address of the venue. Some even listed nearby landmarks and bus route numbers. Digital invitations often inc uded a clickable map link along with the address.  Today, however, the address has disappeared and a small square box has taken its place.

At first glance, this may appear modern and convenient. But is it always better?

Imagine receiving an invitation. The first thing you want to know is where the event is being held. Instead of immediately seeing the address, you are forced to scan the QR code.

This means taking out your phone, opening the camera or QR scanner, and in many cases ensuring that an internet connection is available. Only then can you access information that could have been printed directly on the invitation card.

For younger generations, this may seem like a minor inconvenience. But what about senior citizens? What about people who are not comfortable using smartphones? What about situations where mobile data is unavailable or network coverage is poor?

Technology should simplify access to information, not make it Complex.

There is also a broader question worth considering.

When a QR code is scanned, the request travels through mobile networks, internet infrastructure, and remote servers before the location information is displayed. Individually, the energy consumed may be tiny. But when millions of people repeatedly perform such actions for information that could have been printed directly, the cumulative digital footprint is not entirely insignificant.

The issue is not with QR codes themselves. They are useful, convenient, and often necessary.  The problem arises when QR codes completely replace information rather than supplement it.

Perhaps the best solution is a balanced approach:

Print the venue address clearly on the invitation card and include a QR code as an additional convenience.  This ensures that everyone—from tech-savvy youngsters to elderly guests—can access the information in the way that suits them best.

After all, technology should enhance communication, not hide it behind a barcode.

ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನ ಸವಾರರೇ, ನೀವು ಕಾರು ಮಾಲೀಕರಿಗೆ ಸಹಾಯಧನ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಾ?

(Courtesy: Vijayavani )

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ಮಾರ್ಕೆಟ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಆರಂಭವಾದ ಸುಸಜ್ಜಿತ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಸ್ವಾಗತಾರ್ಹ. ದಶಕಗಳಿಂದ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದಾದ ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ಮಾರ್ಕೆಟ್ ಸಮರ್ಪಕ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಮೂಲಸೌಕರ್ಯದ ಕೊರತೆಯನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಈಗ ಸುಸಜ್ಜಿತ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಿರುವದು ಸ್ವಾಗತಾರ್ಹ ಹಾಗು ಅಭಿನಂದನೀಯ.

ಆದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಶುಲ್ಕದ ಪಟ್ಟಿಯನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದಾಗ ಒಂದು ಕುತೂಹಲಕಾರಿ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಮೂಡಿತು.

ಒಂದು ಗಂಟೆಯ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್‌ಗೆ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನಕ್ಕೆ ₹15, ಹಾಗು ಕಾರಿಗೆ ₹25 ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು. ಮೊದಲ ನೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಇದು ಸಮಂಜಸವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಯೋಚಿಸಿ ನೋಡಿ. ಒಂದು ಕಾರು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನಾಲ್ಕರಿಂದ ಆರು ಪಟ್ಟು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಆಕ್ರಮಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಹಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಕಾರಿನ ಶುಲ್ಕ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಕೇವಲ ₹10 ಮಾತ್ರ ಹೆಚ್ಚು!

ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಏನೆಂದರೆ, ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಶುಲ್ಕವನ್ನು ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸುವಾಗ ವಾಹನ ಆಕ್ರಮಿಸುವ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆಯೇ? ಇದು ವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕವೇ? ಇದು ನ್ಯಾಯಯುತವೇ?

ಒಂದು ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನಕ್ಕೆ ಬೇಕಾಗುವ ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಬೈಕ್‌ಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಶುಲ್ಕದ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾತ್ರ ಅಷ್ಟೇನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಲ್ಲ.  ವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕವಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ ಕಾರುಗಳ ವಾಹನ ನಿಲುಗಡೆ ಶುಲ್ಕ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನಗಳ  ನಾಲ್ಕರಷ್ಟು ಇರಬೇಕು.  ಆದರೆ ಅದು ಕೇವಲ ಎರಡು ಪಟ್ಟು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿದೆ.  ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನ ಸವಾರರೇ ಕಾರುಗಳ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್‌ಗೆ ಪರೋಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಸಹಾಯಧನ ನೀಡುತ್ತಿರುವರೇ ಎಂಬ ಅನುಮಾನ ಮೂಡುತ್ತದೆ.

ಭೂಮಿಯ ಬೆಲೆ ದಿನೇದಿನೇ ಏರುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ, ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಶುಲ್ಕವು ವಾಹನ ಬಳಸುವ ಜಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಅನುಗುಣವಾಗಿರಬೇಕಲ್ಲವೇ?

ಇದು ಕೇವಲ ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ಮಾರ್ಕೆಟ್‌ನ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಯಲ್ಲ. ರಾಜ್ಯದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಇರುವ ಮಾಲ್‌ಗಳು (ಗರುಡ ಮಾಲ್ ಸಹ), ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣಗಳು, ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಗಳು ಹಾಗು ರೈಲ್ವೆ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಗಳು, ಹಾಗೂ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಇದೇ ರೀತಿಯ ಶುಲ್ಕ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ನಗರ ಯೋಜನಾ ತಜ್ಞರು ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಶುಲ್ಕ ನಿಗದಿಯ ಮಾನದಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ಮರುಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸುವ ಸಮಯ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಗೌರವಾನ್ವಿತ ಹೈ ಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಕೊಡ ಈ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸಲೆಂದು ಆಶಿಸುವೆ .

ಅಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ, ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನ ಸವಾರರು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಿಂದ ಹೇಳಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದು: "ನಾವು ಕೇವಲ ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಕಾರುಗಳ ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್‌ಗೂ ಧನ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ!" ಎಂದು.

Turning Scorching Summers into Sustainable Energy:

(Courtesy: Hindustan Times)

 Can Extreme Heat Become an Opportunity? Lessons from Banda's Record Temperatures

Recently, Banda, a town in Uttar Pradesh, recorded one of the highest temperatures ever observed in the region. During such intense summer conditions, many people prefer to complete their outdoor activities before 10 a.m. and remain indoors until evening.

The challenge is not only coping with the scorching heat but also earning a livelihood and maintaining normal daily routines.

While extreme temperatures bring several difficulties, I began to wonder: Is there a way to harness this abundant sunlight and heat for the benefit of society?

Instead of viewing the sun only as a source of discomfort, perhaps we should also see it as a powerful and largely untapped resource.

1. Solar Energy: An Obvious Yet Underutilized Opportunity

When temperatures soar, it usually means that sunlight is available in abundance. This creates an ideal environment for solar energy generation.

The most common approach is to install solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. The generated power can be used directly for operating fans, lights, and other appliances. Excess power can be stored in batteries for use during the night.

However, when discussing solar power, people often think only about generating 220V AC electricity. In many cases, the electricity is converted multiple times between DC and AC, resulting in energy losses.

An alternative approach could be the wider use of DC appliances such as DC fans, lights, and charging systems. This would reduce conversion losses and improve overall efficiency.

2. Solar Water Heating: Beyond Hot Water

Solar water heaters are already popular in many parts of India. During winter, the heated water is useful for bathing. But what about the summer months?

The heat generated by solar water systems can be used for several other purposes:

• Keeping food warm
• Pre-heating water for cooking
• Community kitchens
• Small-scale food processing activities

In larger installations, solar heat can even be used to generate steam. The steam can then drive turbines to produce electricity. Although such systems are more suitable for industrial applications, they demonstrate the enormous potential of solar thermal energy.

3. Making Solar Cooking Simpler and More Affordable

Solar cookers have existed for decades, but many models are either expensive or too complicated for widespread adoption.

What if solar cooking could be made simpler using everyday household items?

Dark-colored surfaces absorb more heat than light-colored surfaces. A cooking vessel coated with a safe black heat-absorbing finish can potentially capture more solar energy. If such a vessel is enclosed within a transparent glass container, heat may be trapped inside, creating a greenhouse effect similar to that used in commercial solar cookers.

Such a simple setup may not fully cook elaborate meals, but it could help with:

• Boiling eggs
• Pre-cooking vegetables
• Heating water
• Partially cooking rice and lentils

Even partial cooking can reduce the amount of conventional fuel required later.

Thinking Beyond Survival

As climate change leads to increasingly frequent heat waves, societies must learn not only how to survive extreme temperatures but also how to benefit from the resources they provide.

Places like Banda receive an enormous amount of solar energy every day. Rather than viewing the sun solely as an adversary, we should explore innovative ways to convert its power into electricity, cooking energy, and other useful applications.

The future may belong to communities that learn how to transform environmental challenges into sustainable opportunities.

Are Pet Owners Really Animal Lovers?

 

The popularity of pet dogs, especially breeds such as the Shih Tzu, has grown significantly in recent years. Many families consider their pets as members of the family and provide them with love, care, and medical attention.

However, there is another side to the pet industry that deserves discussion. Many prospective owners prefer female dogs over male dogs. One reason is obvious: breeding.

A Shih Tzu typically gives birth to four or five puppies in a litter. In India, depending on the bloodline, pedigree, and location, a puppy can sell for anywhere between ₹25,000 and ₹80,000 or even more.  This means that a single litter can generate substantial revenue. In some cases, puppies are booked even before they are born.

At first glance, this may appear to be a profitable opportunity. But it also raises an important ethical question:

When does responsible breeding become commercial exploitation?

Veterinarians generally recommend adequate recovery time between pregnancies and limiting the number of litters throughout a dog's lifetime. These guidelines are intended to protect the health and well-being of the mother.

However, market demand can create a temptation to breed dogs as frequently as possible. Pregnancy, delivery, and nursing puppies place significant physical demands on a dog. Repeated pregnancies without sufficient recovery time can affect the animal's health and quality of life.

This leads to a thought-provoking comparison.

Many humans carefully plan their families and often wait years between children to ensure the well-being of both mother and child. Yet when it comes to animals, some people may expect repeated breeding cycles simply because there is a financial incentive.  If a dog is viewed primarily as an investment that generates income year after year, are we treating it as a beloved companion or as a commercial asset?

Of course, not all pet owners fall into this category. In fact, many genuinely love their pets, treat them as family members, and never breed them for profit.  Yet the existence of irresponsible breeding practices forces us to reflect on a broader question.

Many pet owners actively campaign for animal welfare, support the protection of stray dogs, and advocate for animal rights. These are admirable causes. But true animal love must extend beyond affection and advocacy. It must also include responsible ownership, ethical breeding practices, and a commitment to the physical and emotional well-being of the pet animals.

The real question is:

Do we love animals for what they are, or for what they can provide us?

The answer may reveal the difference between being a pet owner and being a true animal lover.

Drivers Need Direction Boards, Not Billboards

Have you ever experienced this while driving in Bangalore?

You are searching for an exit road or trying to confirm whether you should go straight, take a left turn, or enter a flyover. You slow down, looking carefully for a direction board — but instead of clear road signs, all you see are massive advertisements covering bridges, skywalks, and roadside structures.

This has become a common sight across Bangalore.  In many places:

• Important direction boards are either missing or extremely small.
• Exit roads appear suddenly without adequate guidance.
• Large commercial advertisements dominate the driver’s field of vision.
• Essential traffic information gets hidden behind banners and billboards.

For a driver navigating busy roads, especially in high-traffic areas, this creates confusion and stress within a matter of seconds

Roads Are Meant for Navigation, Not Advertising

A person driving a vehicle is focused on:

• Finding the correct route
• Following traffic rules
• Watching surrounding vehicles and pedestrians

At such moments, oversized advertisements across roads and flyovers become visual distractions rather than useful communication tools.  The primary purpose of road infrastructure should be safety and navigation — not commercial promotion.

Confusion Can Lead to Accidents

When drivers miss exits or suddenly notice a hidden signboard, they may:

• Apply sudden brakes
• Change lanes abruptly
• Slow down unexpectedly
• Make dangerous turns

Such situations increase the possibility of accidents, traffic congestion, and road rage.

Road accidents are not caused only by traffic violations. Poorly planned visual infrastructure and distracting roadside advertisements can also contribute to unsafe driving conditions.

Time for Policy Action

The Transport Ministry, traffic authorities, and urban planning agencies should seriously review the unrestricted placement of advertisements across roads, flyovers, and pedestrian bridges.

Possible measures could include:

• Restricting advertisements near junctions, exits, and flyovers
• Mandating minimum visibility standards for road signs
• Increasing the size and clarity of direction boards
• Removing advertisements that obstruct traffic guidance systems

Road safety must always take priority over advertising revenue.  Roads should guide people safely to their destinations — not distract them with oversized commercial displays.  A cleaner and scientifically designed road environment can help reduce confusion, improve traffic flow, and potentially save lives.

In several developed countries, strict regulations control the placement, size, brightness, and positioning of roadside advertisements to avoid distracting drivers. Similar scientific guidelines are needed in Indian cities as well.

A Simple Community Solution to Reduce Garbage and Protect Cattle

 

Cattle feeding on kasa, some where in Bangalore

In many parts of India, especially in Bangalore, one common sight continues to disturb citizens — garbage dumped in public places and cattle feeding on it.

Every day, many households pack their waste in plastic carry bags and throw them in isolated corners or roadside vacant spaces, What may appear to be a simple act of careless disposal actually creates a chain of serious environmental and health problems.

This issue has two major dimensions:

1. Lack of Civic Responsibility

Improper garbage disposal reflects a lack of civic sense among citizens. Public spaces are not dumping grounds. When waste is thrown irresponsibly, it not only creates an unhygienic environment but also attracts stray animals.

2. Cattle Consuming Plastic Waste

The second and more dangerous issue is often ignored. Cattle are naturally attracted to the smell of leftover vegetables, fruits, and food waste inside garbage bags. Since they cannot carefully open the bags, they tear them apart using their mouths and horns. In the process, garbage gets scattered across the streets, worsening the cleanliness problem.

Unfortunately, the cattle do not consume only the food waste — they also ingest pieces of plastic carry bags along with it. This creates a serious health hazard.  Plastic can choke the animals or accumulate inside their stomachs over time. The danger does not end there.

When cattle consume plastic-contaminated waste, harmful microplastics and toxins can eventually enter the human food chain through milk and other dairy products. In other words, the same plastic discarded irresponsibly on the streets may ultimately return to humans through the food they consume.

Is There an Innovative Solution?

Instead of looking at this only as a garbage problem, we can also view it as an opportunity to build a community-driven waste management ecosystem.

Not all vegetable and fruit waste is harmful to cattle. A scientifically verified list of safe food items for cattle can be prepared with the help of veterinarians and animal welfare organizations.

Based on this, a simple local system can be introduced:

• Households can separately collect vegetable and fruit waste in dedicated containers.
• Local cattle owners can collect this waste directly from homes every day.
• The collected waste can then be safely used as cattle feed.

Benefits of This Approach:

1. Easier Wet Waste Disposal for Households
2. Cleaner Streets and Reduced Burden on Civic Bodies
3. Better Fodder Support for Cattle Owners
4. Reduced Plastic Consumption by Animals

Building a Community Ecosystem

This initiative may not become a highly profitable business model, but it can become a powerful social and environmental movement.

Local NGOs, resident welfare associations, cattle owners, veterinary experts, and government bodies can work together to create awareness and implement pilot projects in different neighborhoods.  Over time, this can evolve into a sustainable ecosystem that benefits:  Citizens, Animals, Civic authorities and The environment

Let us work together to build cleaner streets, protect animals, and create a healthier future for everyone.