The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : The heat is on

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

The heat is on

A TELEVISION programme about Bangalore recently had cricketer Anil Kumble declaring what he liked most about his home-town: "Even on an April evening you can comfortably wear a jacket."

Old timers feel summers have become warmer than what they were till the late 1960s or so. While even fans were rarely used then, airconditioners have become necessary in many buildings now. Part of the reason is the design of the buildings themselves, mostly concrete, steel and glass with little provision for natural ventilation or light.

We cannot turn the clock back; the trees felled recklessly and the lakes encroached upon mercilessly will not come back immediately. But it may be time for builders and architects to think of constructing more environment-friendly structures that are liveable even during the power outages this city is known for.

In organisers' shoes

MANY MEDIAPERSONS complain and make comments when an event they are covering is not organised well, or if a particular dignitary does not show up on time. But there are times when we get to see the other side of the coin — mediapersons themselves donning the role of organisers or some of them being part of situations that can be funny, while covering a programme.

At a recent function organised by a section of mediapersons, where Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was the guest of honour, lensmen were seen jostling for space so that they could get a better picture of the Chief Minister inaugurating the programme. From the beginning, they kept shouting and creating a commotion so that none of the audience could even see the dignitaries on the dais. The organisers were ill-at-ease as they could not control the chaos. Finally, there was such disorder that one of the photographers standing on a stool was pushed by another and he fell headlong on the floor.

The whole incident, even though it was sad, gave comic relief to some.

Of nursery and plants

THE PROBLEMS language creates are often hilarious. This friend has a green thumb and loves to grow plants. So, she stops at almost every nursery she sees on her way and looks at its stock. While she was driving on Cunningham Road, she was excited to see the sign "Blue Bell Nursery." On a visit to the place, she could not find any plants. Perplexed, she asked someone where the nursery was. The man pointed to a small building and said that that she go there to find out about admissions. It was only then that it struck her that the nursery was a playschool for children.

Sahana Charan,

Divya Ramamurti

K. Satyamurty, Sahana Charan, Divya Ramamurti

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