New Delhi:

Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the ambitious project of the Bengaluru Skydeck, set to be South Asia’s tallest structure, at a staggering cost of Rs 500 crores. This project will be a major boost to the city’s infrastructure and will provide a 360 degree view of the Indian tech capital.

The tower will be approximately 250 meters high. For reference, the Qutub Minar monument in Delhi stands at 73 meters tall, so something that is 250 meters tall would be over 3 times taller than the Qutub Minar.

CNTC Presidential Tower, believed to be  Bengaluru’s tallest building, has an estimated height of over 160 meters.

“Karnataka government has approved South Asia’s tallest Skydeck. The Skydeck will be built in the city at a cost of Rs 500 crore, which will show a 360 degree view of India’s technology capital,” Karnataka’s minister of law, parliamentary affairs HK Patil said.

The Skydeck, set to be built on the NICE Road in outer Bengaluru, will have world class facilities for tourists and will be connected to the metro rail so that tourists do not face any inconvenience while trying to reach.

Apart from a lavish shopping complex, other facilities included inside the Sky Deck have not been confirmed as of now.

The government initially wanted to build the Skydeck in the middle of Bengaluru but two big challenges arose. First, it was difficult to find 25 acres of land in the middle of the city and second, there are establishments of the Defense Ministry in many areas of Bengaluru city, which raised their objection to such a high tower.

Having an extremely tall-tower in the middle of the city could have posed a threat to civilians, military airports. Therefore, the Skydeck project has been approved for outer Bengaluru.

The Karnataka cabinet has also cleared a two way tunnel from Hebbal to Silkboard Junction in Bangalore at the whopping cost of 1269 thousand crores

There comes a point in the life of every 30-something Indian woman where many interactions take the form of an explanation. The pressing issue to be addressed is this: “What’s a brilliant girl like you doing single?”

The “Graveyard” Of 30s

You’d think the legalisation of homosexuality, new flourishing pockets of polyamory and open relationships, the fluidities in gender and sexuality and self-expression, would’ve dulled the kind of thinking that prompts people to ask such questions. But even the young and supposedly open-minded let slip their belief now and then that 30 is some kind of a graveyard, after which life either ends or is not as meaningful as it once was. A young man was recently telling our common friend about “a really old woman” he was lucky to have sex with. “She was, like, 31 or something, dude,” he bragged, before realising his faux pas.

Another Gen-Z woman told me “I’ll never be Gen-Z, no matter how hard I try”. I wondered if the implication was that I was too old to be so online, or that I was not as good at it as she was, or that instead of being so up-to-date with memes and popular discourse, I should do something more age-appropriate. The internet is, after all, riddled with girl-math and boy-math-never woman-math. 

But when you are content with your life and its discontents, you don’t want to engage with anyone who doesn’t get it. Especially when you can just write a column about it.

Young, Sweet Love

So, let me tell you (almost) everything: At the age of 29, I was in perhaps the best relationship of my life with a cool, caring and emotionally stable man I’d known for years, who had a family that I’d have been honoured to enter. Just a few weeks into our relationship, I knew that I should marry him, but by our two-year anniversary, when we were at a crossroads about what to do next, I felt I’d changed too much. “Settling down” suddenly seemed too distant from who I felt I was becoming, even though I’d been anxious to get married throughout my late twenties. Maybe it was distaste at having chased something so externally imposed that made me want to upend it, or maybe it was something deeper (it was definitely something deeper. My parents are divorced and my family is dysfunctional, and I have been subject to my own creative, destructive self-sabotage for a long time now).

Either way, I was trying to discard the imposed and honour the internal. My twenties had been driven by the need to succeed at every task thrown my way, despite familial troubles, all some form of survival disguised as decorum. But I now intended to live my many unlived lives: I moved out of our shared apartment into a one-bedroom flat – a veritable ‘Room with a View’ – in which I started writing more, painting for the first time, thinking and working fully without disruption. I loved my solitude, which also I’d never allowed myself, because even outside of your gender, living and doing things alone, and enjoying them no less, is considered ‘weird’ at best. I wanted to date freely and widely, to understand what really suited me, to devote more time to my many friendships, without romance or marriage becoming the fulcrum for the rest of my life. I’d seen much harm ensue from people doing things just because other people were doing them too. 

I wanted to be a sovereign individual, in short.

I Now Understand Carrie Bradshaw

Favourable or not, this was the honest thing to do. From Virginia Woolf to Carrie Bradshaw – whose room with a view was in expensive New York City ( even in Bengaluru, I work multiple non-writing jobs to sustain my mostly modest lifestyle)  – writers especially want this kind of solitary freedom. The first time I watched Sex and the City last year, however, just after I turned 30, my reaction to Carrie’s life was not a kindred “I’m just like her fr“. I was way more judgmental. Her initially crazy behaviour with Big notwithstanding, I thought her dresses were too floozy and her columns simplistic and her attitude too carefree – not dark and brooding and real, like mine – and her pursuits too meaningless. Going out every night, meeting new people, buying more shoes than she could afford… What kind of 30-year-old woman does that? She was being such a… girl… I realised, in horror.

She was being what I could never be at home, as the eldest daughter to perfectionistic Tamil Brahmin parents: unbothered, free, promiscuous, cute, silly, often stupid, at least financially, if not romantically too. She was being what I found it hard to be even now, due to both internal and external deterrents. Unlike in New York City, a Bangalorean landlady might still tell you things like “don’t allow boys to enter for your own safety”. When I told this woman that I had male friends, she asked me whether I was “really Brahmin”. Another landlady flat out refused to rent to a single woman because “if something happened to me”, she’d be responsible.

There Is No Right Way To Live

So, when you walk away from such well-trodden paths, the pressure to display satisfaction and success intensifies. Carrie was one of TV’s first female protagonists to portray women as desiring beings, rather than just desired objects. She doesn’t just take what she gets – not always; she tries to be a discerning customer, at least. And like her, despite choosing authenticity over safety, I too experience doubt. I might catch myself thinking like the ‘society uncle and aunty’, who’d wonder about how much money I’m making or how big my house is or how many followers I have or how likely I am to get married in the next few years. After all, what do I have to show for my deviance?             

But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my Robert Frost era, it discourages this kind of habitual comparative evaluation, normalised by the hypercompetitive Indian coming-of-age experience. I have to keep reminding myself of it, but the only lesson is this: There is No Right Way to Live.

On Love And Lovers

In just the past few weeks, as I was travelling through Goa and Kerala, I wondered sometimes what “settling down” might look for someone like me. I met people from, as ChatGPT might say, “all walks of life”. It started with an old friend ringing to tell me he was back in the city, on a sort of a sabbatical, an unimaginable luxury for ’90s Indian kids who were repeatedly asked to excel. 

We spent the day yapping – if I may be so bold, my Gen-Z readers – and then met a few of his friends. The single ones chatted about how romance is irrevocably different in our 30s than in our 20s. It’s less about giving into chemistry and more about overcoming the attachment styles and subconscious patterns that lead to exciting but otherwise unsuitable partners. Another was in an open relationship with her primary partner for nearly a decade, with girlfriends and boyfriends in other countries too. Another bemoaned his inability to fall in love after his most serious relationship ended badly. Another old friend texted me about the end of their marriage after years of being together. 

From this colourful scene, my friend and I departed to meet two other friends, a married couple, who might be the poster child of the ‘New-Indian-Happily-Married-Hindu’ Family. Like the other couples I’ve hung out with of late, they too briefly made me long for the traditional monogamous setup. We talked until 3 am, and I woke up the next day to meet a friend I’d made in Goa. He’d moved there to “be more openly queer”, after realising that the more metropolitan cities wouldn’t offer him the life he wanted. We flirted with the idea of dating, but my now familiar commitment-phobia reared its head again. I was hardly out of a situationship with an ex who had once been a favourite, but was now completely wrong for me, thanks to chemistry coupled with traumatic highs and lows. 

Talk about being romantically stupid, well past the age for it.

Who Doesn’t Have ‘Problems’?

Fortunately, it didn’t take me long to forget about him, because I matched with interesting, desirable people on the multiple apps you can now be on-from Bumble and Hinge and Feeld to, yes, even… Shaadi.com. Many people find these platforms hellish, and I might too eventually, but if you’re an anthropologist as I sometimes get to be, it’s easier to trade outcomes for observations and stories. I’m still not sure what I want, but I’ve met a wildlife researcher whose first conversation with me included an image of a bear standing on one of his weighing scales. I’ve also met lawyers and designers and writers and artists and technology brothers, and couples and divorcees and singles and weirdos and non-weirdos – some chronically online and others not – and what I’m learning is something no relationship coach or matchmaker will ever tell me, but what feels most important to know: there is no right way to live.

No one seems objectively happier than the other. No one seems to not have any problems. Some of these problems are despite following the well-trodden path. Some of them are from walking away from it, understandably. A lot of problems come from wondering if the problems are even legitimate, and whether others could or would or should have them.

For now, I am here to confirm: they do have problems, and they’re quite like yours, and you’re okay. 

And I’m okay too, I think.

(Sanjana Ramachandran is a writer and the founder of storyfied.in, a marketing agency)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Bengaluru:

A senior government official in Karnataka has filed a police case against two officials of the Enforcement Directorate, accusing them of forcing him to frame Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a former minister of the state and a few others in the Valmiki Corporation scam that surfaced earlier this year. The complaint ois expected to be a shot-in-the-arm to the Congress and the Opposition parties, which accuse the Central investigative agencies of targeting Opposition leaders under orders of the BJP-led Central government.

Today, Kallesh B, the Additional Director of the state’s Social Welfare Department, alleged that he was asked to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on July 16 in connection with the investigation into the alleged Valmiki scam. He was asked to come back on July 18, bringing a few files.

Then the officials told him to name the Chief Minster and former minister B Nagendra, who has been arrested in connection with the case and a few others, he said in his complaint to the police.

The officials, he alleged, had abused him and threatened to arrest him if he did not comply, he had said in his complaint.

The ED officials he named were Murali Kannan and an official identified only by his surname — Mittal.

Murali Kannan, he alleged, asked him to name former minister B Nagendra, “the highest authority” (referring apparently to CM Siddaramaiah) and the Finance Department.

Mr Kallesh then approached the police at Bengaluru’s Wilson Garden Police Station, asking them to take action. The cases filed accuses them of “joint criminal liability with a common intention, criminal intimidation and intent to provoke breach of peace”.

The government official’s allegations are in line with what a group of ministers had told the media last week.

On Thursday, five ministers of the state claimed that the ED was coercing people arrested in the Valmiki scam to name the Chief Minister and his Deputy. The motive, they alleged, was to destabilise the state’s elected government.

The ministers attending the media conference included Krishna Byre Gowda, KJ George, Priyank Kharge, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Santosh Lad.

The alleged scam was detected after accounts superintendent of the Corporation, Chandrasekharan P, was found dead on May 21. He wrote a purported suicide note alleging illegal transfer of money from the Corporation to various bank accounts.

Besides the Special Investigation Team set up by the Karnataka government, the CBI is also probing the alleged Rs 187 crore embezzlement.

The agency has roped in the Enforcement Directorate to probe the possible money laundering angle.

The ED has conducted searches in places linked to Mr Nagendra and Valmiki Corporation chairperson and MLA Basanagouda Daddal.

The ED has arrested B Nagendra, who is currently in judicial custody.

A shocking incident took place in Bengaluru, leaving the internet shaken. Piyush Kukkar had a strange encounter on Varthur Road, near Prestige Lakeside Habitat, around 10 pm. The video was recorded on a dashcam. He said that the “staged harassment” took place on a busy road.

“When someone tells you Dashcam isn’t a necessity in BLR show them this, Another such incident in Bangalore outskirts, this time it happened with me. Today around 10:25 PM on the outskirts of BLR, I faced a staged harassment incident on Varthur road, near prestige lakeside habitat,” said the caption of the videos posted by the user on X (formerly Twitter).

On July 1, Mr Kukkar was driving on a busy street in the first clip, which was recorded at 10:24:50, when a person on a scooter abruptly blocked his route. According to the user, this is a regular tactic used to exacerbate the situation. In the second clip, a Bolero with its licence plate’s final two digits scratched started honking behind him. The user stated that the Bolero’s driver ordered him to stop and that the driver eventually came out and yelled at him.

When someone tells you Dashcam isn’t a necessity in BLR show them this, Another such incident in Bangalore outskirts, this time it happened with me. Today around 10:25 PM on the outskirts of BLR, I faced a staged harassment incident on Varthur road, near prestige lakeside habitat pic.twitter.com/9yh776abMs

— Piyush Kukkar (@piyush17ankur) July 1, 2024

In a long thread on the microblogging platform, he said, “They forced me to stop, and the Bolero driver got out and began shouting aggressively. Another person on a scooty took a U-turn and came very close to my car. I suspect Bolero guy indicated him regarding a dashcam being installed, hence he didn’t hit my car with his scooty.”

According to him, they backed off since they saw his dashcam recording. Mr Kukkar said that such incidents have become common in the area. “My family, including my 3-month-old son, was in the car, and this could have escalated dangerously. I have attached the dashcam footage here. As you can see in the video, I didn’t provoke them, as I have been seeing these harassment incidents on twitter very regularly, plus I had the dashcam installed. I consider myself very lucky today, but someone may not be that fortunate. Please install a Dashcam.”

His post gained widespread attention on social media and many users urged the Bengaluru police to take action. Responding to the same, the official account of the police department said, “Noted, we have informed to @varthurps for necessary action in this regard. @dcpwhitefield. Please provide your contact details via DM.”

In April, a video posted on Instagram by user Harikrishnan P showed a man being repeatedly beaten with an iron rod ruthlessly. After the attack, the assailants walked away.

Along with the video, the user wrote, “Today, during my drive near Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore, I witnessed a horrifying incident that shook me to the core. On the main road, I saw a person being viciously attacked with a steel rod, while the assailant walked away without a care in the world. This is just a glimpse of the violence that seems to be becoming all too common in our city. I’m deeply concerned about the safety of our community. Is Bangalore still a safe place to call home? It’s heartbreaking to witness such brutality on a daily basis. I urge the authorities of the Karnataka government to take immediate action and ensure that justice is served for the victim. We cannot allow such acts of violence to go unpunished. Please share this post and help spread the word. Together, we can make our city safer for everyone.”

A Bengaluru resident named Neha has found a unique way to find a new apartment: by using a viral TikTok trend. Neha created a video using the music from the song “Man In Finance” by TikTok creator Megan Boni. Boni’s song lists qualities she wants in a partner, but Neha changed the lyrics to reflect what she wanted in an apartment, including features like being furnished, having two rooms, and having a balcony. 

The caption shared along with the video read, “Desperate times call for desperate measures. So here’s my take on the trend.”

Watch the viral video here:

Neha’s creative reinterpretation of the original song lyrics has generated significant buzz on social media. The video has amassed over 140,000 views and garnered a wide range of reactions in the comment section.

“This is tougher than finding “finance, trust fund, 6’5, blue eyes,” commented a user.

“I might as well buy one in Mysore. It’s almost the same time to commute if you have one in Electronic City,” wrote another user.

“Bengaluru is like a galaxy. You have to mention which part of the galaxy you are looking at; prices fluctuate accordingly,” commented a third user.

Bengaluru:

A 35-year-old woman allegedly strangled her three-and-a-half-year-old autistic daughter to death and surrendered before the police, officials said on Saturday. The woman had twin girls, both of whom are autistic. While one of them is mildly autistic, the other one has severe autism, they said.

The accused is said to have killed her daughter with severe autism symptoms as she was concerned about her future.

According to police, the woman had on Thursday strangled her daughter to death. After killing her, she turned herself in at the Subramanya Nagar police station here.

“During questioning, the woman said that she was worried as to how her daughter would lead her life owing to her condition and hence decided to kill her. She also claimed that she was in depression for the past few months and out of frustration, she killed her daughter,” a senior police officer said.

A case of murder was registered and the woman was arrested and sent to judicial custody.

After post-mortem, the body was handed over to relatives, police said, adding the woman’s husband works abroad.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

SkyServe, a Bengaluru-based space tech and edge computing technology company, has announced that it has successfully achieved Smart Earth Imaging in orbit.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Bengaluru-based space tech and edge computing technology company SkyServe has announced that it has successfully achieved Smart Earth Imaging in orbit.

In mid-April, SkyServe collaborated with space logistics company D-Orbit to uplink and test STORM, their edge computing software stack, on a satellite launched by SpaceX in January 2022.

Within seconds of capturing a vast area over the Egypt-Sinai peninsula, STORM performed a range of intelligent tasks on the satellite itself, including correcting errors in the imagery, detecting and removing cloud and water cover, and identifying vegetation. Following these onboard optimisations, STORM transmitted memory-efficient imaging by 5X back to earth.

The company said STORM signifies a paradigm shift, empowering satellites to perform well beyond their original functionalities. The edge computing stack delivers near-real-time insights for customer applications, optimising for specific use cases on demand, enabling a dynamic and responsive approach to earth observation.

“We’re essentially creating the iPhone moment for earth observation. Just like smartphones revolutionized data accessibility and enhanced user engagement, STORM hosts and enables geospatial applications with edge tasking and data processing, unlocking a vast array of use cases from space,” said Vinay Simha, SkyServe’s co-founder and CEO.

“We can programme the satellites to identify wildfires while flying over regions like Australia and monitor water resources when they are positioned over Bengaluru,” said Vishesh Vatsal, SkyServe’s co-founder and CTO. Later this year, SkyServe is gearing up for Mission K2 scheduled for launch aboard ISRO’s PSLV C59.

Priyank Kharge (right), Karnataka Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, on November 25, 2023 addresses the media on the Bengaluru Tech Summit. Photo: Special Arrangement

One of the highlights of this year’s edition of Karnataka’s annual tech exposition, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), scheduled to begin on November 29, will be the Chandrayaan-3 ISRO-Industry Pavilion, symbolising India’s significant presence in space exploration.

The pavilion will not only showcase ISRO’s achievements but will also emphasise the crucial contributions of SMEs, start-ups, and private industries in ensuring the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. For the first time, a 1:1 scale model of Chandrayaan-3 lander will be on display. Also, in a specially erected geodesic dome, using AR/VR technology, an immersive experience will created to learn about lunar missions, space science, and technology behind Chandrayaan, said Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj in a media briefing on Saturday.

The four-day tech extravaganza, between November 29 and December 1, under the theme ‘Breaking Boundaries’, will attract tech leaders, start-ups, investors, and research scholars, and government representatives from over 30 countries.

The expo will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar; Minister for Large & Medium Industries M.B. Patil; Minister of Science & Technology, Minor Irrigation N.S. Boseraju, and Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma.

The inaugural session will feature Bagdat Mussin, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan; Mark Papermaster, EVP & CTO of AMD, and recorded messages from Sari Multala, Minister of Science and Culture of Finland and Volker Wissing, Minister of Digital Affairs and Transport of Germany.

Captains of the local industry, Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman of Wipro Limited; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology; Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Vision Group on IT; B.V. Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, and Arvind Kumar, Director General of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) will be present.

Some of the key dignitaries and speakers include R.A. Mashelkar, former Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Nobel Laureate and American biologist H. Robert Horvitz, among others.

The GIA track in the conference will have around 17 engaging sessions curated by the partner nations and regions, including Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, Poland, Austria, Germany and NRW, Japan, Switzerland, Lithuania and EU.

Senator Franziska Giffey, Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, Berlin; Stephan Keller, Mayor of Düsseldorf, Germany; Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economy, Job Creation and Trade, Ontario, Canada will be speaking in the GIA sessions.

BTS probably is the only event in the country that has been brought together by all leading cross-sectoral industry apex bodies such as NASSCOM, IESA, ABAI, ABLE, TiE, USIBC etc.

Steps taken to hold it green

This edition has taken a significant stride by committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the upcoming years. This goal involves integrating eco-conscious practices in procurement to minimise waste generation and establishing a sustainability advisory for various stakeholders, the organisers explained.

The focus on key pillars such as carbon, water, energy, waste, food, and experience underscores BTS’s commitment to sustainability—a pioneering initiative and the first of its kind event in India, they claimed.

A Bengaluru court has ordered Swedish furniture retailer IKEA to pay a woman Rs 3,000 for charging her for a paper bag that had its logo printed on it. According to PTI, the woman, Sangeetha Bohra, had filed a case in the consumer court after she was charged for the paper bag at the Nagasandra branch of IKEA on October 6, 2022. She purchased a few items from the store and asked for a carry bag, for which the company charged her Rs 20. 

According to the news agency, Ms Bohra questioned the IKEA staff after discovering she was charged Rs 20 for a carrier bag with the company’s logo printed on it. Disturbed by the additional charge, she argued that charging for paper bags is an unfair trade practice. She also reportedly said that she was not informed about the charge before she made the purchase.  

Ms Bohra approached the Consumer Commission the same month in 2022. In her lawsuit, she claimed that charging for the paper bag was a deficiency of service and unfair trade practice. 

Now, the Consumer Commission in its ruling agreed with the woman and said that IKEA charging Rs 20 for a paper bag “amounts to unfair trade practice”. “We are shocked to note the kind of service provided by these big malls/showrooms… the Opposite Party committed deficiency in service and unfair trade practice and complainant is bound to be compensated,” the Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Shanthinagar, Bengaluru said in its order, as per PTI. 

However, in response, IKEA maintained that charging customers for bags with their brand was not unfair. The company said that “it does not indulge in any sale of goods that has hidden charges or indulge in concealment of information from its consumers or indulge in any practices that may be considered as a breach of trust or unfair trade practice.”

“The information pertaining to all its products, including the paper bag are conspicuously displayed on various aisles of its store and are not automatically or suspiciously added to the purchasers at the time of billing,” IKEA added. 

Also Read | Court Orders Agra-Based Company To Pay ₹ 10 Lakh To PUMA Over Counterfeit Shoes

The Consumer Commission headed by President B N Arayanappa and Members Jyothi N and Sharavathi S M in their judgment, however, dismissed IKEA’s contention. “It has been held by Hon’ble State Commission that all kinds of expenses incurred in order to put goods into the deliverable state shall be suffered by the seller. As such, the contention raised does not merit acceptance,” the Court said. 

It also noted that the consumers were also not allowed the carry their own bags. “If a consumer wants to purchase say about 15 (items) in number from different shops, we cannot expect him/her to take 15 carry bags from home for the same…,” the Court said. 

The Bengaluru Court ordered the Swedish company to comply with this order within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order, and pay the consumer a sum of Rs 20 with interest, and also Rs 1,000 towards damages, and Rs 2,000 towards litigation expenses. 
 

According to organisers in Bengaluru, every event draws in at least a thousand persons from all walks of life.
| Photo Credit: Arivarasu M

The energetic rhythms of dandiya and garba have taken Bengaluru by storm, with a variety of clubs and dance academies hosting these festive gatherings at multiple locations across the city as a part of the Dasara-Navaratri celebrations.

Some dance instructors and event organisers are trying to move beyond the stereotype that dandiya and garba are confined to specific communities, while also trying to make the events more inclusive.

According to organisers, every event draws in at least a thousand persons from all walks of life.

Nimesh Chhag, a resident of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, who organises events in his locality, goes beyond teaching these dances. He is on a mission to share his love for dandiya and garba. “I used to organise grand dandiya nights right here in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. But now, my focus has shifted towards not only imparting dance lessons, but also introducing a diverse group of students to these traditions. Surprisingly, over 150 of my students are not of Gujarati origin.”

With more people showing interest, organisers and instructors are also getting more creative with their approach to these dances.

Manohar B.K. from Yelahanka, who has been an instructor of dandiya and garba for the past decade, consistently infuses a unique flavour to the festivities each year. “We spice things up with special garba, dandiya, folk dances, and even introduce nine colors of dance, where participants groove to nine distinct dance forms throughout Navaratri.”

While newer methods of celebrations are gaining momentum, the popularity of the old dance events in Bengaluru continues to soar.

Sri Bangalore Vaishnav Navratri Utsav Mandal has been organising these events at various locations in Bengaluru, predominantly around Vasant Nagar, for almost a century. They are celebrating their 99th year this time.

Sunil Patel, one of the organisers, said, “For 99 years, we have celebrated garba and dandiya along with Navaratri. Our goal is to bring every Gujarati in Bengaluru together for a grand celebration, featuring classic garba, vibrant dance-offs, and participation from thousands of enthusiastic attendees.”

Cultural enthusiasts in Bengaluru look at these events as an opportunity to explore different art forms and celebrate with people from diverse backgrounds.

For instance, Deeksha Kotian called dandiya and garba unifying factors. “I am not a Gujarati, but as someone born and brought up in Mumbai, I experienced this culture up close from a young age. I am also someone who has been part of Bengaluru’s vibrant cultural scene. I have felt the unifying power of garba and dandiya. These dances transcend boundaries, bringing people together in a celebration of our rich culture. I never felt that these dances were limited to a particular community. Garba is for everyone,” she said.