1st Week of Sept 2019

It's always refreshing to go back to campus and share thoughts with young minds, and I was delighted to visit St Joseph College of Commerce and address the students about Tourism Industry. I spoke about growth of Tourism industry, size and also about Tour Operations, challenges and opportunities in Tourism Industry. How India can provide opportunities to explore the unexplored  both for Indians and Foreign Travellers based on the needs and also ensure Sustainable Tourism.

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As part of my work on Water, had an opportunity to interact and share my work on Bengaluru Lakes and Water Conservation with a team of 20 Administrators from Tamil Nadu Panchayats and Municipalities.

Interaction focused on how Lakes/Water bodies can be revived and key steps to be taken in restoration and conservation.

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Culture activities always brings people together, it was indeed a humbling experience to share time at Haraluru Somasundarapalya Residents Association Sri Ganesha Utsav event. Not only teh programs but also a very eco-friendly events indeed. #PaperGanesha #EcoFriendlyGanesha.

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Was at the Water Conservation event organised by World Shapers in support from ALPMS, Vishwanath the Water Conservation Expert was part of the discussion.

Water Security

Changing patterns of Rains, unpredictable Weather, increase in Temperature and it is happening, the Climate Change is here and its real! The nature fury across the country the changing rain patterns and intensity cannot be ignored anymore, that are clearly saying that if we do not move towards taking action on greater conservation of resources and sustainable development the doomsday is not far.

One of the critical resources that is in plenty yet in scarcity is Water, there is indeed a huge concern on Water Security given the accelerated rate of melting glaciers, rising rivers, constant encroachments, shrinking catchment areas, inflow of waste & pollutant, depleting ground water tables and increase in land abuse via human settlements. Most of the rivers and water bodies across the country have the same glaring similarities, yet the solutions seem to be like few blind people feeling an Elephant.

Revival and conservation of water bodies has to be accelerated to slowdown looming water crisis, and no doubt that increasing urbanization and population density adds to the challenges of conservation. Lakes and water bodies specifically in Urban India needs a greater attention to create alternate water sources to make cities more water sustainable.

Cities today are dependent on water from rivers flowing 50-180 kms away to meet their water needs, not only making the operations of tapped water expensive but also highly unsustainable. Quenching the thirst of the fast-growing cities is indeed a great opportunity to invest in alternate sources by the revival and conservation of urban lakes, water bodies and RWH.

Separating sewage lines from storm water drains, treating waste/sewage water for reuse, ensuring rain water reaches the lakes/water bodies via network of storm water drains or canals, developing a vision for the lakes, creating a stakeholder community for the lakes/water bodies are indeed the first important steps in lakes/water bodies revival and conservation.

There is a lot to learn from our history when it comes to water conservation, relooking at the concepts of open wells, kalyanis and recreation of watershed based on the water flow and contours can better our water conservation process.    

Hard measures have to be taken keeping in mind the long-term implications and giant step towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) to make India Water Secure. Water Security for all can become a reality if the Government uses a carrot & stick approach, by rewarding conservation and punishing excess usage/misuse.

- Kavitha Reddy 
  Lake Activist & Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Awardee 

Green Ganesha 2019

Efforts continued to make Festivals Eco-Friendly and especially Ganesha Festivals, as polluting PoP Idols has been a great challenge, for over few years basic awareness about Clay Ganesha has lead a change in the mindsets of people too. One of the biggest event of setting a Guinness World Record in Clay Ganesha making initiated by Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava indeed took the awareness to the next level.  

Hope in coming years Workshops and Awareness programs will lead to a more informed society that adopts a Sustainable Living model with great concern for our Environment. 

7th Edition of HSR 10K Freedom Run!

Kaagaz Foundation 7th edition of HSR 10K Freedom Run witnessed over 700+ from all walks of life energetically participating. Visually Challenged Runners from Samarthanam Trust for Disabled, Runners from HSR Police Station, 91 year old Runner all added to make it the most inclusive Run! 

Run was flagged off at 6.30am after a good warm-up session and singing of National Anthem by Shri Kupendra Reddy MP Rajya Sabha. 

The Primary objective of the run is to raise funds for creating awareness & campaign for Greener & Safer Bengaluru, the proceeding of the event will go towards conducting Green Ambassador Program, Women Safety workshops, Child Safety workshops in Govt Schools/Colleges and also towards Tree Plantation and Lake campaigns.

The Event is an Eco-Friendly Event and is a Prime Event among the Running fraternity. All registered Runners will get a Bib with Time Chip, T-Shirt, Finisher Medal, E-Certificate with Time, and Breakfast.

Event Partners:       

• Radio Partner: Fever 104
• Marketing Partner: Basecamp Adventures
• Cause Partner: BPAC, Civic Hub
• Medical Partner: Green View Hospital
• Zumba Partner: Contours, HSR Layout
• Environment Partner: EcoContours

7th Edition HSR 10K Freedom Run Fastest Runners were Ms Aasa TP clocked 41:10 in 10K Women, Mr Rahul Shukla clocked 32:38 in 10K Men.

Independence Day Blood Donation

Donate Blood for a Reason, let the Reason be to Save Lives! 

As you Donate Blood to Save Lives, so not forget that there are Health benefits too, Blood Donation:

- Reduced risk of Hemochromatosis

- Lowers risk of Cancer

- Maintains Healthy Heart and Liver

- Stimulates Blood Cell production

- Reduces risk of Overweight 

So, on 15th Aug 2019, 73rd Independence Day 43 people Donated Blood to Save Lives and to be Healthy! 

7 Green Habits!

There is a crisis, and it is real! Our lifestyles are impacting the Earth and endangering its existence. Time is indeed running out and we need to take steps in the right directions and Sustainable Living cannot be just another phrase, it has to be the way forward.

We as citizens can make a huge difference by reworking on our lifestyles, our small steps and commitment will go a long way to make our Environment Better!

There are many things each one of us can do, pick 7 Green Habits that you can commit to 100%, share and inspire Friends and Family to pick their own 7 Green Habits! 

So what are your 7 Green Habits? 

Police - Public Meet

HSR Layout Police Station had organised a Police - Public interaction, which was attended by DCP, ACP, PI Law & Order, PI Traffic, Citizens, NGOs and RWAs. 

Good initiatives like this are always welcome and should be appreciated, Public got to share their concerns and issues. I too got an opportunity to raise few points:

1. Nuisance activities around women PG's accommodations

2. Illegal activities in Tourist buses in ORR service road near Freedom School, request to ban parking of these buses

3. Safety issues due to non working of over 50-60% of streetlights, please write to Mayor on the same 

4. Junctions improvements on 19th & 27th main to avoid accidents and road rage, write to BBMP Traffic

Beating Plastic!

Plastic Pollution is a very serious threat to the Environment, few State Govt in India have Banned Plastic, in Karnataka also Govt has Banned across state. Legislation on Plastic Ban, Awareness Campaigns is simply not enough, Implementation and Innovation to reduce use of Plastic in needed! Shared my views with Bangalore Times (Times of India) 10th July 2019!

Green Ambassador Program AY 2019

As new academic year 2019-20 begins, sessions on BPAC Green Ambassador Program (GAP) was initiated by Kaagaz Foundation, with 1st session at Govt PU College HSR Layout.

An important step towards Creating Awareness, Problem Solvers and Promoting Sustainable Living!

Institution: Govt PU College, HSR Layout

# of Students: 200

Class: 1st PU Arts & Commerce

Date and Time: 4th July 2019, 1pm to 2pm

Performance Run!

Staying Fit is a Attitude and Running is the BEST form of Fitness, as it gives the option to just wear your shoes and Run, time of the day hardly matters! 

After a couple of months of small injuries, was back to participate on the Runs and clocked 71 minutes for 10K at Skechers GoRun Performance Run on 30th June 2019, yes about 5 minutes more than the previous timing but given the reduced training for few month it has brought me back on track and a sunday well spent! 

Fitness Mantra - SET Straightening, Endurance and Training

BCLIP Women Leaders Event

A Fantastic 2 day B.PAC- BCLIP Women Leaders event put together by Sushma Mahabala. Independent non-Dynast Women bring in a lot of Energy, Dedication and Commitment...Hard Work is their Mantra! 

Was happy to share 'Our Agara Lake' handbook and 'Nanna Olage Indira' a Women Safety Handbook with Actress and Activist Parnita Subhash!

I hope all the Wonderful, Hard Working Independent non-Dynast Women become Corporators, Mayors and MLAs! Time will not be the same, today only Dynasts and Proxy candidates are getting opportunity but....all will change eventually! 

And when they still don't get ticket they will find my shoulder to cry because I know exactly what it is to be Competent and Hardworking and still being denied tickets for Caste and to favour Leaders kids! 

Week-end Clean-up Drive

With over 600+ Saplings planted in Agara Lake for over 20 day by Forest Dept, ALPMS, Agara Lake Volunteers, Citizens, Corporates, it was an opportunity for Agara Lake Volunteers to work on the cleaning of the Walking path by removing grass, dry leaves, trimming plant and clearing the rainwater channels. 

Volunteers spent over 1.5 hours clearing the track of 750-1000 meters, this is going to be a regular activity once in 15 days so that Walking and Cycling paths are kept clean. 

The event will be announced on the WhatsApp, Twitter and FB page, so that more Volunteers can join. This is not only a Clean-up activity but also a good Fitness activity.