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<keyword id="19895037" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bengaluru" source="keywords">Bengaluru</keyword>, the capital of Karnataka, is a city of contrasts. Known for its tech industry and pleasant weather, it also faces challenges like rising temperatures, <keyword id="19949689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="traffic-congestion" source="keywords">traffic congestion</keyword>, and soaring rent prices. Yet, myths about the city persist, shaping how outsiders perceive life here. From exaggerated tales of "eternal coolness" to misconceptions about its <keyword id="20307950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cost-of-living" source="keywords">cost of living</keyword>, it's time to revisit and re-examine some of the most common <keyword id="23644351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="myths-about-Bengaluru" source="keywords">myths about Bengaluru</keyword>, backed by facts. <h2>"It’s always cool in Bengaluru"</h2>Contrary to the lingering notion of perpetual cool weather, Bengaluru has been experiencing rising temperatures due to <keyword id="19911439" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urbanisation" source="keywords">urbanisation</keyword> and the loss of <keyword id="21004022" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-spaces" source="keywords">green spaces</keyword>. In the 1970s, the city enjoyed over 68% green cover; today, that number has fallen below 3%, contributing to the heat island effect. In 2023, summer temperatures nearly surpassed 37°C — four degrees above what is normal — proving that while the city remains relatively cool compared to other Indian metros, it's far from immune to climate change. As for the non-summer months, the temperature typically ranges between 15-29°C. While Bengalureans have generally shied away from air conditioners — you just didn’t need it with how cold the unofficial hill-station was — more and more residents are turning to the tech due to rising temperatures. <h2>"Bengaluru is only about IT and tech jobs"</h2>Although Bengaluru is India’s tech hub, its economy is far more diverse. Sectors such as aerospace, biotechnology, and education thrive here, with organisations like ISRO and Biocon playing a major role. Bengaluru is also home to numerous startups in sectors ranging from healthcare to clean energy, illustrating its broad entrepreneurial spirit. The city's economic landscape is much richer than just IT and tech, though those industries continue to dominate public perception. Bengaluru also frequently recruits in creative and financial roles, such as UX/UI designers. Additionally, corporate lawyers draw some of the biggest salaries in Bengaluru compared to other Indian states, according to some sources. <h2>"Traffic is the worst only in Bengaluru"</h2>While Bengaluru often tops lists of congested cities, it shares this burden with other Indian metros. In 2023, it ranked sixth globally for traffic congestion, but cities like Mumbai and Pune face comparable traffic issues. Congestion is driven by rapid urbanisation, narrow roads, and an influx of vehicles — factors present in many growing cities across India. The city is testing many innovative traffic management initiatives, such as the usage of AI traffic signals and automated fining, to bring down congestion. However, things have yet a long way to go before the fruits of these labours ripen. <h2>"Everyone speaks only Kannada"</h2>Kannada is the official and widely spoken language in Bengaluru, but the city’s cosmopolitan nature means that many other languages thrive here too. With people from across India settling in Bengaluru for work or education, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English are commonly spoken. However, tensions surrounding language persist, and have worsened in some regards. Recent clashes have emerged over prioritising Kannada in government and business, stirring debates about linguistic inclusivity versus regional pride. While Kannada remains essential, the city's multilingual environment makes communication in most aspects quite easy for non-Kannada speaking migrants. <h2>"Bengaluru has no nightlife"</h2>Once known for its restrictive early curfews, Bengaluru has embraced a more liberal nightlife over the last decade. While regulations remain in place, areas like Koramangala, Indiranagar, and Church Street now boast a range of pubs, live music venues, and restaurants open late. As per a recent directive aimed at improving the city’s nightlife, the government announced that the operating hours for hotels, shops, bars and licensed establishments will now be extended till 1 AM. So don't fret — as the cultural and social heart of South India, Bengaluru offers a vibrant after-dark experience despite earlier stereotypes. <h2>"It’s just a concrete jungle now"</h2>Though Bengaluru has seen massive urbanisation, the city retains pockets of greenery such as Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Lake rejuvenation projects are ongoing, with several lakes being restored to combat water shortages and preserve biodiversity. While Bengaluru has lost much of its green cover, efforts to reclaim and restore its natural spaces are growing. Initiatives to revive lakes like Bellandur and Ulsoor are key to preserving the city's ecological balance. <h2>"It’s too expensive to live in Bengaluru"</h2>Bengaluru’s cost of living varies greatly depending on the neighborhood. In prime areas like Koramangala, Indiranagar, and Whitefield, rents can range from Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000 per month for a 2BHK apartment. In contrast, areas like Yeshwanthpur, BTM Layout, and Kengeri offer more affordable living options, with rents ranging between Rs 13,000 and Rs 30,000 for a similar-sized apartment. Living costs also depend on lifestyle choices. Monthly expenses, including food, utilities, and transportation, typically range between Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 for an average individual — and can certainly be more affordable, if you want to be really frugal. While Bengaluru may not be as expensive as Mumbai or Delhi, its affordability can be a challenge for those on tighter budgets, especially with rising rents in sought-after areas. In conclusion, Bengaluru is far more than the myths suggest. It’s a city of diversity — of languages, industries, and experiences. While the city grapples with issues like urbanisation and affordability, its vibrant culture, green initiatives, and evolving identity make it a unique metropolis poised for further growth.

Planning to move to Bengaluru? Here's a reality-check on some myths you might have heard about the city

<keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has its platter full this week and the all-new horrex genre (horror plus sex) is flush with cash. A total of five movies hit the theatres on Friday the 21st but none could bang the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> like Sunny Leone-starrer <keyword id="1020628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ragini-MMS-2">Ragini MMS 2</keyword>. The sequel to the hit <keyword id="30679" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="horror-flick">horror flick</keyword> <keyword id="500381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ragini-MMS">Ragini MMS</keyword> netted Rs 24.5 crore at home during the debut weekend while 4th day (Monday, March 24) collections stood at around Rs 4.5 crore nett at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>, as per industry estimates. 
 “RaginiMMS2 Fri 8.43 cr, Sat 7.29 crore, Sun 8.78 crore. Total: Rs 24.5 crore nett. India biz,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted. In spite of a slight drop in business on the second day, this <keyword id="2165873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Horror-erotica">horror erotica</keyword> picked up pace and turned out to be this year’s third highest grosser over the opening weekend, after <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Jai-Ho-Salman-FightsThrough-Clichs-Fails-To-Create-A-Dhoom/articleshow/29505187.cms">Jai Ho</a> (around Rs 60 crore) and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Gunday-LeavesYou-Clueless-But-Cash-Register-is-Ringing/articleshow/30626422.cms">Gunday</a> (Rs 43.9 crore). The movie has also surpassed the lifetime business of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Madhuri-starrer-DedhIshqiya-Stumbles-At-Box-Office-Yaariyan-Romps-Past/articleshow/28798719.cms">Dedh Ishqiya</a> (Rs 27 crore) and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Highway-ExploresShadow-Zones-But-Fails-To-Impress-At-Box-Office/articleshow/31008054.cms">Highway</a> (Rs 27.25 crore), as per Koimoi. 
 
Along with Ragini MMS 2, four other movies were also released on March 21. These include <keyword id="1600822" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gang-of-Ghosts">Gang of Ghosts</keyword>, Ankhon Dekhi, <keyword id="6526" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lakshmi">Lakshmi</keyword> and <keyword id="2165865" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kolkata-Junction">Kolkata Junction</keyword>. But keeping in mind how horror has flourished this week, we are focusing on just two movies today – Ragini MMS 2 and Gang of Ghosts. We will have another ‘Box Office’ story tomorrow and bring you the rest of the three movies, along with their box office performances. 
 Coming to performance, let us tell you that the <keyword id="1465525" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="horror-comedy">horror comedy</keyword> Gang of Ghosts did decently at the domestic box office and total collection after the first weekend was around Rs 14.25 crore, against a total budget of Rs 15 crore. That is not at all disheartening, taking into consideration the tough competition posed by the Ragini sequel, which is already way ahead of its total budget of Rs 18 crore. 
 
 
 Although <keyword id="1983057" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Adult-movie-star">adult movie star</keyword> <keyword id="836886" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunny-Leone">Sunny Leone</keyword> made her Bollywood debut with <keyword id="25529" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="jism-2">Jism 2</keyword>, it is Ragini MMS 2 that has given her the biggest break in India till date. Interestingly, <keyword id="303" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Director">director</keyword> <keyword id="820957" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhushan-Patel">Bhushan Patel</keyword> had earlier helmed another successful horror flick – 1920: Evil Returns. Ragini MMS 2 has been produced by <keyword id="6354597" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ekta-Kapoor">Ekta Kapoor</keyword> and <keyword id="154993" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shobha-Kapoor">Shobha Kapoor</keyword>. 
 
Now that we know the awesome numbers the movie is commanding, let us have a look at what’s selling Ragini MMS 2. Well, that’s a kind of no-brainer in this context. A <keyword id="2165868" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sizzling-Sunny-Leone">sizzling Sunny Leone</keyword> flaunting her assets throughout the movie and looking a bit more confident than usual (who wouldn’t when one is portraying her own character), and some <keyword id="2165869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Spooky-elements">spooky elements</keyword> craftily thrown in here and there to keep the fear factor alive are tantalising enough to be lapped up by the audience. Add to that chartbuster songs like <keyword id="38162" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Baby-Doll">Baby Doll</keyword> and <keyword id="2019181" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaar-Botal-Vodka">Chaar Botal Vodka</keyword>, and you have the perfect recipe for box office success. 
 
Unlike the prequel (Ragini MMS) that featured a balanced mix of <keyword id="2165871" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Horror-and-sex">horror and sex</keyword>, the equation has changed this time, along with the cast, and tilted heavily towards the explicit. However, the horrex picks up from where the earlier one had left, telling us the fatal story of a movie production team that has come to the infamous haunted haveli to make a movie on Uday and Ragini, whose earlier escapade in the house had gone awry. In fact, it won’t be a bad idea to watch Ragini MMS once again before you watch the second in the series. Now that the leaked MMS made by Uday has gone viral, film-maker Rocks (<keyword id="6532013" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parvin-Dabas">Parvin Dabas</keyword>) decides to cash in on the scandal; ropes in Sunny as the female lead and lands at the house for the shoot. Here, Sunny seems to be at her explicit best but the bone-chilling moments are not missing altogether, in spite of their routine predictability. For instance, you will find the quintessential exorcist in <keyword id="2165872" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dr-Meera-Dutta">Dr Meera Dutta</keyword> (<keyword id="18941" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Divya-Dutta">Divya Dutta</keyword>), to say nothing of the usual trappings of a <keyword id="1571333" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="paranormal-thriller">paranormal thriller</keyword>. Maybe erotica and a heavy dose of <keyword id="2165874" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Quirky-humour">quirky humour</keyword> have been the saving grace of this movie, along with the terror lacing. 
 
The other horror release of the week is Gang of Ghosts, a photocopy adaptation of the original Bengali flick, <keyword id="494729" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhooter-Bhobishyot">Bhooter Bhobishyot</keyword>. Directed by <keyword id="2218" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satish-Kaushik">Satish Kaushik</keyword>, this one tells an intriguing story of an <keyword id="2165876" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Over-urbanised-Mumbai">over-urbanised Mumbai</keyword> and how the departed souls are compelled to leave their last stronghold as haunted houses are speedily turned into high-rises and multiplexes. The original one has a touching message in the guise of comedy – one can actually sense the pain of getting uprooted as your city turns too affluent to be affordable. But the <keyword id="39358" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="hindi-remake">Hindi remake</keyword> falls flat in spite of veterans like <keyword id="6533" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anupam-Kher">Anupam Kher</keyword> and <keyword id="297" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jackie-Shroff">Jackie Shroff</keyword>. Still, those who have not watched the original may like it enough – that could be one possible reason behind its moderate box office success. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Ragini
MMS 2 Thrills All; Gang Of Ghosts Lacks Finesse

Unprecedented floods in Bangladesh followed by Assam floods, extremely heavy rain in Madhya Pradesh, parts of Rajasthan and <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword> in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>, and the Pakistan deluge. Climate experts say all calamities have shown how the quantum of extreme events has increased exponentially in South <keyword id="21718" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="asia" source="Orion">Asia</keyword>. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Ch ange (<keyword id="6941656" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ipcc" source="Orion">IPCC</keyword>) last year warned about the increase in extreme weather events across South Asia in the coming years if the emissions continue to be unchecked. Asian urban areas are considered high-risk locations from projected climate change, extreme events, unplanned urbanisation and rapid land-use change, an expert told IANS. With increasing urbanisation, the cities are at greater risk as the volume of damage in terms of loss of human lives, property damage and economic losses are higher than in the rural areas. Cities like <keyword id="6358070" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mumbai" source="Orion">Mumbai</keyword>, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi and Chennai are home to millions of people and so high is the climate risk. Studies say Asia is home to 54 per cent of the world's urban population, and by 2050, 64 per cent of Asia's 3.3 billion people will be living in cities. Asia is also home to the world's largest urban agglomerations: Tokyo (37 million inhabitants), New Delhi (29 million) and Shanghai (26 million) are the top three with Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing and Dhaka home to nearly 20 million people each. By 2028, New Delhi is projected to become the most populous city in the world. In the warming environment, urban flooding is a major threat to the cities and towns. Regional ecological challenges coupled with climatic variability have aggravated flood risks. Urban flooding that was primarily a concern of municipal and environmental governance has now attained the status of 'disaster'. What is urban flooding? Urban flooding can be defined as a combination of two factors, mismanagement of urban planning and climate change impacts which are intensifying and becoming more frequent. In extreme cases urban floods can result in disasters that set back urban development by years or even decades. According to the IPCC, warming from 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius will increase extreme precipitation events across Asia, especially over East and South Asia. Extreme rainfall has direct and increasing consequences on urban flooding risk, which is further exacerbated by urbanisation trends that reduce land permeability, divert water flow and disrupt watersheds. "Urbanisation across the city continues to be unchecked, maximising on the most the city has. Bengaluru is doing nothing for adaptation. Political system and will is not aligned with climate resilient policy. In fact, there has been no political stability to battle climate risk as 15 chief ministers have changed in the last 20 years," said Anjal Prakash, Research Director and Adjunct Professor, Bharti School of Public Policy, Indian School of Business and IPCC author. According to the IPCC, urban climate resilient development is observed to be more effective if it is responsive to regional and local land use development and adaptation gaps, and addresses the underlying drivers of vulnerability. Several states across India are now working towards a climate action plan to fight climate change impacts. Mumbai has recently come out with one, aiming to reduce emissions. Responding to the urgency, Aarti Khosla, Director, Climate Trends, told IANS, "People are increasingly understanding the implications of climate change and how these events are affecting them in real time now. "Climate change will not only worsen these events but compounding disasters will destabilise growth and local governments. If decision makers fail to bring an integrated, inclusive planning to India's urban development, it will not only be counterproductive to the GDP linked development we aim for, but also lose out on investment opportunities to develop future-ready cities which have the adaptive capacity for increasing populations." Recommended stories <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="94194674" title="India to assume G20 Presidency for one year from December 2022; host over 200 meetings and MEA lists priorities" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Flood-like a situation highlights how cities must adapt to climate change

In a town in western <a class="link-text" href="https://www.scmp.com/topics/india">India</a>, every conversation involves a possible solution to the crisis.Standing in his brown, dusty field, Narayan Mahale looks at the Wagh river that runs under the cliff on which his field lies, and is convinced the solution is a piped supply of water. Less than 5km away, Ramchandra Mahale believes a dam will suffice. His neighbour, Anita Gaikwad, says the key is to find better ways to harvest rainwater. The villagers in Mokhada, in the Palghar district of India’s western state of Maharashtra, can’t help themselves. <a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/0cd38f20-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/0cd38f20-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/0cd38f20-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/0cd38f20-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"> Farmer Narayan Mahale can see the river, now drying, flowing past through the year. But that water often does not reach him. Photo: Kunal Purohit </a> This region is facing a crushing <keyword id="68552" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="water-scarcity">water scarcity</keyword>. Dominated mostly by tribal hamlets, Mokhada is underdeveloped – it has a literacy rate that is two-thirds lower than the national rate of 74 per cent; it sees hundreds of children dying each year due to poor nourishment and health care facilities. Very few villages have any piped supply of water. As a result, many of them have to depend on common wells. But last year’s scarce rainfall meant that many village wells ran dry by January this year. It isn’t just Palghar alone; 43 per cent of India is gripped by a severe drought, being abnormally to exceptionally dry. <a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/3e6424e0-9bef-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/3e6424e0-9bef-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/3e6424e0-9bef-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/3e6424e0-9bef-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"> Map of the areas facing drought in India. Graphic: SCMP</a> But Mokhada’s drought carries a heavy and almost tragic sense of irony. It is not a dry region; five rivers originate here. The region generally sees over 2,400 millimetres of rainfall a year. But instead of providing for the locals, much of the water is diverted to Mumbai – which gets a major chunk of its water from here – along with other cities and industrial corridors. The scarcity can turn fatal. In April 2012, a woman died from the exertion of trying to fetch water. In addition, the hilly terrain in the region means the rainwater does not percolate but instead, slides off down the valley into the rivers. Locals are left with the hard choice of staring at rivers flowing past, even as they struggle for each drop. <a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/5d2d5df2-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/5d2d5df2-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/5d2d5df2-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/5d2d5df2-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"> Mathura Waghare, a resident of Brahmanpada village in Mokhada, stands with a drum of water. Such drums cost as much as US$5-6. Photo: Kunal Purohit</a> SLEEPLESS NIGHTS SPENT DODGING SNAKES AND SCORPIONS The crisis is overturning the lives of Mokhada locals, who are staying awake through the night in search of water. Mathura Waghare, 35, from the tribal village of Brahmanpada, now has a routine that revolves around getting adequate water for her supply to survive each day. The village’s only source of water, a common well, ran out of water in January this year. Since then, Waghare has been searching for water in nearby villages on foot. When she found water 2km away in a neighbouring village, she was relieved. But the next day, villagers there were up in arms. 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="Without water, we can’t survive, so sleep does not matter" auname="Mathura Waghare, villager"></div>


 “People in that village feared that they would run out of water if we continued going there. So, they refused to allow us to fill water,” she says. That’s when Waghare decided that she had had enough. She decided to head into the forest, to a well she knew was a 45-minute walk from Brahmanpada. This did not have much water, but the groundwater area in the table was high, she said. So the villagers would wait at the well every day for groundwater to percolate into the well. Each night at around 3am, Waghare starts walking into the forest with her stainless steel handis (large pots). Most nights, women from the neighbourhood walk with her. “It gets scary to walk alone. There are scorpions and snakes in the forest; the other night, we saw a snake slide past,” Waghare says. <a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/71dbed5e-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/71dbed5e-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/71dbed5e-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"></a><a class="link-text" href="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/02/71dbed5e-9be4-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_115323.jpg"> Mathura Mavle dug this pit with her friend, using their bare hands, in their desperation for water. Photo: Kunal Purohit </a> With battery-operated torches in their hands, and balancing the handis on their heads, the women set out each night and sometimes, even multiple times in the day, if they receive unexpected guests or if the water runs out sooner. Once at the well, Waghare queues up, waiting for the water to percolate. “Sometimes, it takes 3-4 hours; other times, there is enough water in an hour. It is unpredictable,” she explains. Water filled, she balances two handis on her head, the third one in her hand, fingers firmly clasped around its neck. On an average day, she sleeps for five hours, before waking up between 2am and 3am. But there are days when her worries are so severe that she cannot sleep. “So, I finish my chores in the night and set out at 10pm or so. Without water, we can’t survive, so sleep does not matter,” she says. TAKING MATTERS INTO HER OWN HANDS Mathura Mavle, 30, sympathises with Waghare’s situation. Mavle lives in the tribal village of Kharawali, about 5km away from Waghare’s Brahmanpada. Just outside Mavle’s house lies a well. But it is bone-dry and its floor lies exposed to the sun. Another well, 1.5km away, is also nearly dry. So one summer day, two months ago, Mavle and Asha H* walked for a kilometre or so, climbing down small rocky cliffs to where a small stream flows past in the monsoons. The stream goes dry by October every year. One rock at a time, they both dug a small hole in the earth, at the base of an old tree. They kept digging through the day. Seven hours later, at a depth of almost one metre, they hit water. <h3 style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; display: inherit; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.71rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 2.42rem; margin-bottom: 2.35rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="link-text" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3012754/water-shortages-and-heatstroke-warnings-issued-temperatures">Warnings issued as temperatures pass 50 Celsius in India heatwave </a></h3>The women have been trekking to the pit every day since, with their children and sometimes their husbands in tow, to collect water. But digging the hole, they realised, was just half the battle won. Standing over the pit, Mavle says: “There is only as much water a small pit like this can carry. So, whenever it runs out of water, we just sit around, waiting for groundwater to percolate into it.” The unpredictability means locals can be queuing up at the pit for up to half the day. Today isn’t one of those days. Mavle walks into the pit, crouches and patiently fills her pots, one bowl at a time. “We got lucky today,” she says, smiling. MOKHADA’S LONG-STANDING NEGLECT For activists working in the region, Mokhada’s struggles are a result of a long-standing neglect of the region. Brian Lobo, a veteran activist of the Kashtakari Sanghatana (Farmers Collective), says the locals have been clamouring for authorities to address the issue for years. He points to the three major dams in the region – these dams on the Vaitarna river, flowing through the region, supplying daily over 1,000 million litres of water to Mumbai. “We have demanded that the water from one of these dams, the Upper Vaitarna dam in the region be used to fulfil the needs of locals, rather than being diverted for industrial purposes.” Lobo said a study had even found it to be a workable solution. “But, consequent governments refused to implement it,” he said. <h2 style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.71rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 2.21rem; margin-bottom: 0.42rem; margin-top: 1.14rem; vertical-align: baseline;">This crisis is not just about the poor management of water alone but a broader mismanagement of natural resources. Brian Lobo, activist</h2>One of the first dams in the region, the Modak Sagar Dam, was constructed in 1957 to supply water to Mumbai. The dam supplies over 400 million litres of water to Mumbai each day. The administrative head of Palghar district, Dr Prashant Nanaware, admits that there’s a problem. He says the government is working out a solution. “We also believe that the river’s water can be diverted for locals. We are working on a proposal to have water supply schemes for these parched villages and once approved, we will execute these.” But Mokhada is not alone in experiencing poor water supplies. At a time when a severe water crisis has gripped much of India, including the southern metropolis of Chennai, such similar stories of poor management of water resources abound. <h3 style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; display: inherit; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.71rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 2.42rem; margin-bottom: 2.35rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="link-text" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3015251/workers-told-shower-less-hotels-ration-water-guests-reservoirs">Workers told to shower less as reservoirs in Chennai city dry up </a></h3>Chennai, a city with over 9 million inhabitants, faces a crippling water shortage – four major reservoirs that form the bulk of its water supply have dipped to less than 1 per cent of their capacity. Other sources are also running out of water. With its official monsoon season at least two more months away, the city is praying for unseasonal rainfall. But even in Chennai, data shows many of the city’s water bodies, which could have been a valuable asset in this scarcity, have become defunct due to poor management as well as allowing construction on it. Similarly, unplanned urbanisation has led to many of its wetlands shrinking to a fraction of their original size in the last few decades. Nityanand Jayaraman, a Chennai-based writer and a social activist who has been tracking environmental causes, says: “This crisis is not just about the poor management of water alone but a broader mismanagement of natural resources. Chennai’s growth has come at the cost of open spaces and water bodies, both of which are taken over and built upon to create more and more housing.” The pattern isn’t unique to Chennai, Jayaraman says. Pointing to other Indian metros, he says: “Across different Indian metros, we have followed this same model of development, one that prioritises needs of housing and commerce but not the environment.” *Name changed because she works for the local government and did not wish to be identified

India’s deadly drought: Villagers in Mokhada battle sleepless nights, snakes in search of water

<ul><li>Rural discontent will be a key issue as <keyword id="13126" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> goes to the polls today. </li><li>Not all of the state’s <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword> have benefited from the state government’s <keyword id="56684" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waiver">loan waiver</keyword> and crop insurance schemes, with payouts from the latter being delayed due to bureaucratic inefficiencies. </li><li>In fact, even after a historic <keyword id="47282" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="march">march</keyword> last year, the demands of the state’s farmers are yet to be met. </li><li>Maharashtra is also facing an acute groundwater crisis, with groundwater levels in over 3000 villages dropping below the maximum depth of 3 metres.</li></ul>The image of Mukesh Ambanis’ 27-storey house Antilla - dubbed the world’s most expensive residence at $2 billion - towering over one of the world’s largest slums in <keyword id="6358070" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> is widely considered a prime example of the kind of income inequality the developing world faces. On a more micro level, Maharashtra - India’s richest state by Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) - is also an example of rising inequality on a national level. A state that is home to Mumbai, India’s financial capital and most expensive property market, is also the home to millions of farmers who have campaigned for debt forgiveness every year without fail. What’s more, the rapidly urbanising portions of the state leaving its rural component behind. Around <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/govt-working-on-economic-model-to-bridge-rural-urban-divide-fadnavis/">60% of the state is expected to be urbanised</a> by 2030, compared to a level of 45% in 2016. Moreover, with <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/govt-working-on-economic-model-to-bridge-rural-urban-divide-fadnavis/">the bulk </a>of the state’s GDP coming from urban areas it will become harder and harder to justify the reinvestment of those funds in rural areas. Rural discontent will be a key issue as Maharashtra goes to the polls today. Not all of the state’s farmers have benefited from the state government’s <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/revised-farm-loan-waiver-norms-in-maharashtra-to-cost-rs-500-crore-more/articleshow/65588604.cms">loan waiver </a>and <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/farmers-in-maharashtra-village-finally-get-their-crop-cover-dues/article26785090.ece">crop insurance</a> schemes, with payouts from the latter being delayed due to bureaucratic inefficiencies. In fact, even after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/maharashtra-farmers-march-to-mumbai-to-ask-for-loan-waivers/articleshow/63274299.cms">a historic march</a> last year, the demands of the state’s farmers are yet to be met. In March 2018, around 40,000 farmers marched 180 kms to Mumbai with a list of demands that included full waivers of their loans, land rights, pensions and higher rates for their crops. The BJP-led Maharashtra government duly obliged, assuring them that their demands would be met, which lend to the end of the march on March 12th. However, a year later, these promised hadn’t been executed which led to <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/demands-unfulfilled-farmers-march-mumbai-again">another march</a> in February 2019 with similar demands. It was called off after a day, however, after the government was <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/farmers-end-march-to-mumbai-after-talks-with-maharashtra-government-1997592">forced to give in again </a>- providing more concrete assurances this time in all likelihood. Maharashtra is also facing an acute <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/maharashtras-groundwater-crisis-is-so-bad-that-farmers-might-need-special-approval-to-plant-water-intensive-crops/articleshow/65578555.cms">groundwater crisis</a>, with groundwater levels in over <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-expert-team-submits-report-on-proposed-groundwater-act-ministries-to-take-final-call-5509359/">3000 villages</a> dropping below the maximum depth of 3 metres. In fact, as per draft rules issued in August last year, farmers of water-intensive crops will have to get an approval from a state-appointed committee in order to cultivate them. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-amazing-public-relations-of-the-farmer-protests-in-maharashtra/articleshow/63328247.cms">The amazing public relations of the farmer protests in Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/maharashtras-groundwater-crisis-is-so-bad-that-farmers-might-need-special-approval-to-plant-water-intensive-crops/articleshow/65578555.cms">Maharashtra’s groundwater crisis is so bad that farmers might need special approval to plant water-intensive crops</a>

This state going to polls today is the picture of India's rising inequality

Vagator (Goa), <keyword id="1593574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interglobe-hotels" source="Orion">InterGlobe Hotels</keyword> will invest around Rs 550 crore to set up two new properties in Mumbai and Bengaluru by 2025, its President and CEO JB Singh said on Thursday. The company -- a 60:40 joint venture between <keyword id="6214869" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="interglobe-enterprises-pvt-ltd" source="Orion">InterGlobe Enterprises Pvt Ltd</keyword> and Accor Asia Pacific -- opened its new '<keyword id="10310001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ibis-Styles" source="Orion">ibis Styles</keyword>' hotel here and plans to open a new property under the 'ibis' brand in Mumbai by the end of next year, followed by the launch of a new hotel under the Novotel brand in Bengaluru early 2025. "This (ibis Styles Vagator) becomes the 23rd ibis (property in India), but as a portfolio, we are at 28 hotels, with this and two to open (which are) under active development. The ibis in Mumbai will open sometime late next year and the Novotel in Bangalore within 2-4 months of that or early 2025," Singh told PTI here. He was responding to a query on the company's expansion plans. When asked about the investments in the two new properties, Singh said, "We will add 207 rooms in Mumbai at an ibis, which will have an investment of about Rs 250 crore, and we will add a little over 140 rooms in Bangalore, this will be a Novotel (brand), which will probably have an investment of Rs 300 crore". On future expansion plans beyond 2025, Singh said, "We have a 2030 plan. We are looking at it. We are under the active evaluation of several projects". However, he said, the company will wait for the projects to be ratified and signed off by the board to make a formal announcement, which is expected in the next six months or so. "We will continue to populate the market and grow as we keep growing in all our businesses. As a company, we fundamentally believe in the growth of India. We fundamentally believe in the robustness of the economy and what is going to present over the next 20-30 years," Singh asserted. In terms of geography for setting up the new properties, he said, "We will remain committed to densification. The cities are becoming very very large, and urbanisation is a megatrend that we can't ignore as a company. So, we have to address that". As far as the tier II and III markets are concerned, he said, the company is looking at them, and two to three markets are under active consideration while Goa remains the front runner in the leisure segment for the company. On the revenue growth, Singh said it is "growing very robustly", and the plan for 2023 is to clock Rs 1,100 crore. InterGlobe Hotels, established in 2004 to develop a network of 'ibis' hotels throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, has committed an investment of Rs 6,000 crore across 30 hotels, he added.

InterGlobe Hotels to invest about ₹550 crore on two new properties by 2025

<div type="image" title="Rahul Bhalla" msid="96004490" hostid="261" sizebytes="92878" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Co-founder and CEO Latin Quarters, Rahul Bhalla&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <ul><li>Lifestyle brand <keyword id="16040" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="latin-quarters" source="Orion">Latin Quarters</keyword>’ CEO <keyword id="1162134" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rahul-bhalla" source="Orion">Rahul Bhalla</keyword> breaks down the “science behind dress shopping” in India. </li><li>Dresses contribute to about 57-58% of total business for Latin Quarters. </li><li><keyword id="13627" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bhalla" source="Orion">Bhalla</keyword> believes Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will drive future growth for not just Latin Quarters, but also for most players in this category. </li></ul> Latin Quarters, an Indian-origin lifestyle brand known for its dresses in addition to other apparel, bags and jewellery — competes with Western brands. With over 16 years of insights into Indian body types, it claims to have cracked the code for providing Western styles tailored to ‘fit’ the women of the sub-continent. According to Latin Quarters co-founder and CEO Rahul Bhalla, unlike many international brands where the “Indian customer has to fit in,” Latin Quarters curates and designs clothes keeping the Indian woman in mind. “Styles like bling, sequin, shimmer A-line party dresses sell more than counterparts. Colours like black, maroon, dark shades of blues, you know, any earthy tone colours do very well in India, and what reflects well on the Indian skin tone, does well,” shared Bhalla in a conversation with Business Insider India, breaking down what he calls the “science behind dress shopping” in India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Size does matter" comment="subhead2" text="Size does matter">Size does matter</cmsannotation> It’s not just the colour, but also the cut and cloth of Indianised Western styles that matter for shoppers. Moreso, the preferences and other elements differ across regions and states in the wide Indian subcontinent. Latin Quarters, which is present in nearly 80 cities in India, streamlines its production and distribution based on scientific elements that cater to varying demands of the varied Indian consumers across India. It has collections that suit every specified need. “In the northeast, the average height of a lady would generally be shorter - so, we have a separate petite collection for them, which is exclusively sold to these areas where the length is an issue. In the South, smaller sizes sell more and in the North and West, larger sizes sell a lot more,” said Bhalla. However, choices that marry the Indian sensibility with sartorial aspirations are common across locations - and that’s what allows dresses, specifically longer dresses, to become Latin Quarters’ most popular offering. “Dresses contribute to about 57-58% of our total business. And in those dresses, I would say out of the 57%, close to about 35 (%) would be the longer dresses,” added Bhalla. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The rising demand in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities" comment="subhead2" text="The rising demand in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities">The rising demand in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities</cmsannotation> According to Bhalla, the Covid-19 pandemic brought a major shift in the clothing choices, with comfort wear replacing occasion wear – Latin Quarters’ predominant category, by Bhalla’s own admission – and even workwear. However, with the world going back to normal, Latin Quarters is seeing a lot of action, with sales above pre-Covid levels. As Bhalla puts it, “This year, we should be up by about 20% on pre-Covid numbers, in terms of total revenue as well as profitability and the point of sales across everything.” However, Latin Quarters continues to ‘struggle’ in Mumbai and Delhi, witnessing ‘disappointing’ sales due to greater competition and steep real estate prices, according to Bhalla. At the same time, he added that <keyword id="6354925" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kolkata" source="Orion">Kolkata</keyword> remained one of their biggest markets, along with Hyderabad, <keyword id="2094" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pune" source="Orion">Pune</keyword>, and Bangalore. In terms of growth, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have shown the most favourable results, which Bhalla believes will drive future growth for most players in this category, including Latin Quarters - because of better real estate prices and aspirational customers who are more willing to experiment. “We're getting a lot of traction from smaller cities. We have six more of our EBOs (exclusive brand outlets) opening up. There's (only) one opening in Bangalore - rest of them are in Indore, Amritsar… just where the real estate is better,” said Bhalla. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have been ripe for urbanisation and growth, being pegged as growth drivers, especially for retail and real estate, by both NBFC <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tier-ii-and-iii-cities-to-be-growth-drivers-over-the-next-2-yrs-sundaram-122021900154_1.html">Sundaram Home Finance </a>and management consulting firm, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/tier-ii-and-tier-iii-cities-to-drive-the-growth-of-malls-in-india/">Kearney Research</a>, among others. Bhalla also shared that after comparing their own sales with other brands in the category, and observing overall trends, he has seen ethnic wear being restricted to special occasions like Diwali and Karwa Chauth - especially for the working woman. Similarly, according to him, more and more millennials and Gen-Zs are adopting Western wear because they see it as a “differentiating factor from their mothers and grandmothers.” <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Online: no longer for outdated merchandise alone" comment="subhead2" text="Online: no longer for outdated merchandise alone">Online: no longer for outdated merchandise alone</cmsannotation> Bhalla believes that prior to the pandemic, they were ‘lazy’ in their approach to online channels, using it only as a way to liquidate outdated merchandise and styles. But with the pandemic, Bhalla states there has been a ‘change in mindset’, with Latin Quarters investing money, time and energy in building online sales channels, because the “future is going to be about convenience” i.e. how quickly a product is shipped and/or can be exchanged. This perfectly aligns with the recent <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/online-shoppers-drive-e-commerce-in-post-pandemic-india/articleshow/95721588.cms?from=mdr">report by The Economic Times</a>, that stated how “online purchase of shirts, jackets, dresses, tops, jeans, sneakers and boots accounted for 26-50% for some of the largest fashion brands in the country, busting the myth that touch and feel are critical factors in the fashion purchase decision.” Bhalla also believes one of the greatest advantages of online sales channels over offline stores is the wide variety of sizes. As he puts it, “it's very difficult for every (offline) store to have every size of every single listing with us. With online, we can solve that 99% of the time.” Currently, Latin Quarters exists on all major online portals and has 19 EBOs, with plans to add 6 more stores by March 2023, Bhalla said. It is also present across 290 large format department stores - primarily Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle Stores, along with presence in Lulu Hypermarket and Reliance’s Centro (formerly, Future Group’s Central). While Latin Quarters has surpassed pre-pandemic numbers in terms of revenue, the Indian festive season had limited impact on Latin Quarters’ sales, because of its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/one-in-every-five-online-orders-had-a-kurti-or-saree-in-their-cart-redseer/articleshow/95598263.cms">complete lack of ethnic wear</a>. Bhalla is looking to the upcoming winter and Christmas sales season to offset this dip. “So Durga puja was very good - we did about 26% higher than our 2019-20 (sales). Diwali, to be very honest, has never been a very strong Western wear category. Winter wear and Christmas is basically our Diwali,” shared Bhalla. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/kolkata-hyderabad-and-pune-remain-indias-most-affordable-residential-cities-jll/articleshow/96001910.cms">Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune remain India’s most affordable residential cities: JLL</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/women-unemployed-rural-poor-lag-due-to-digital-divide-says-oxfam-india-report/articleshow/96000462.cms">Women, unemployed, rural poor lag due to digital divide, says Oxfam India Report</a>

The science behind selling a dress to an Indian woman, according to the CEO of Latin Quarters

Mumbai, May 18 () India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) expects small private dairies, who are mostly dependent on milk-based sweet making shops and local supplies in towns, to be impacted following the disruptions in economic activities caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the disruption in economic activity due to COVID-19 pandemic and closure of non-essential commercial establishments like hotels, restaurants, bakery and sweet shops, theatres and malls, Ind-Ra expects the consumption demand for liquid and pouch milk, ultra-high temperature milk and dairy products like butter, clarified butter and cheese to draw sustained support from the household demand.Milk procurement from small farmers who are outside the coverage of organised cooperative and corporate sector dairy networks could be impacted due to the lockdown, it added.However, the cooperatives as well as the established private dairies continue to procure milk from their network farmers, with the surplus being converted into skimmed milk powder, ghee and other processed products, to be sold during the lean season, it said.Ind-Ra expects households to drive the consumption of milk and milk products in FY21. Milk procurement by dairy cooperatives increased to 56 million litres per day (MLPD) during the first phase of the lockdown from 51 MLPD in March 2019, according to data by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.The agency estimates manufactured dairy products output to grow annually by 10 per cent to Rs 2,83,336 crore in FY21 from an estimated Rs 2,56,589 crore in FY20, underpinned by domestic demand. The household consumption demand for milk and milk products occupies the highest share in the private final consumption expenditure on food after 'breads, cereals and pulses, it said adding that the share of milk and milk products averaged 21 per cent in household expenditure on food during FY12-FY18.The value added dairy products (VAP) segment holds promise over the medium-term, Ind-Ra estimated, as urbanisation, increase in disposable income and accompanying changes in lifestyle and dietary habits increase demand for milk and milk products.To meet the needs of a growing and rapidly urbanising Indian population, a commensurate increase in milk production is required to keep pace with demand, the report said. Ind-Ra has projected milk production to increase to 208 million tonnes in FY21 from 198 million tonne in FY20.The government has a milk production target of 300 million tonnes by FY24, so as to meet the growing demand for dairy products and make dairying a sustainable source of livelihood for small and marginal farmers and landless labourers that constitute the bulk of milk producers in India. The increase in productivity depends on the availability of feed and fodder, disease control and breed development programmes. Productivity improvement initiatives would have to be aggressively pursued to achieve the high production target, Ind-Ra added. SM MKJ

COVID-19 crisis to impact small private dairies: IND-RA

Mumbai, Jan 21 () Denmark-headquartered Danfoss has invested 15 million euros (over Rs 118 crore) to set up a facility in Pune for manufacturing mobile hydraulics for the construction, agriculture and other off-highway vehicle markets.
The company's Indian subsidiary Danfoss Power Solutions will be manufacturing products like electronic controls, pumps and valves, motors, sensors and transmitters, among others in this facility.
"We have invested around 15 million euros so far for this facility. This is for the first time we are manufacturing these products here for Indian customers as per their needs," a senior company official said.
The company aims to invest on increasing its product offerings in India within the next 24 months and remains firm on its mission to ensure a minimum of 50 per cent localisation level for sourcing and manufacturing in their future product lines as well, the official said.
"Over the last 5 years, Power Solutions business has seen a strong double digit CAGR growth with strong potential for further growth in India owing to the nation's rising demand for infrastructure development, electrification, urbanisation, efficiency in agriculture," Danfoss India Region President Ravichandran Purushothaman said.
With its focus on the Indian market, the company has a 3:1 ratio on products manufactured for India as compared to exports to several core global markets, he added. PSK MKJ

Danfoss invests 15 mn euros to set up facility in Pune for manufacturing mobile hydraulics

A UN report has said that India will most likely add 300 million new urban residents by 2050, for which it will need to build climate-friendly cities so that the challenge of accommodating the growing needs can be addressed properly. 
 The report, titled, 'World Cities Report 2016- Urbanisation and Development: Emerging Futures' was prepared by <keyword id="484454" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="UN-Habitat">UN Habitat</keyword>, and added that in India, urban areas already contribute more than 60% of the GDP, and Indian government will have to build 100 new cities over the period. 
 
"The attendant amount of additional greenhouse gases would have consequences on climate change. The alternative, if challenging, is to build denser, low-infrastructure, low-energy cities," the UN human settlement program report said. 
 
Additionally, the report highlighted the problems of municipal and infrastructure finance for transport, electricity, communications, water supply and sanitation in support of production. 
 
About India and its neighbouring countries, it said that Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have massive and expanding urban populations in their mega cities of Dhaka, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi and Lahore, and the population is also growing rapidly in secondary cities as well. 
 
"In face of the daunting magnitude of projected urban demographic growth over the next 20 years, accommodating the needs of these populations through planned city extensions is going to be a challenge," it concluded. 
 
<a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/worldpoliticsreview/india_transport_02162016_1.jpg">Image source</a>

UN report pegs number of Indian urban residents to rise by 300 million by 2050

The <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi government</keyword>’s plan to develop 100 <keyword id="6377036" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="smart-cities">smart cities</keyword> has stirred a debate on its strategy or lack of it on the fate of the existing cities in the country. 
 
Over the years, lack of infrastructure and unplanned growth turned Indian cities into a real mess. While urbanisation has enhanced economic, social and political progress, it has resulted in socio-economic mismatch among people. Also, rapid growth of urban population has put enormous pressure on public utilities like housing, sanitation, transport, water and electricity besides pushing unemployment among rural immigrants. Urbanisation deserves immediate attention as according to reports by 2030, more than 50 % of India’s population is expected to live in urban areas. 
 
Urban sprawl, the expansion of the cities in terms of population and geographical area (which is rapidly taking over the precious agricultural land) has been one of the key problems which authorities failed to tackle. Continuous immigration from rural areas has consistently added to the size of the cities. This has led to a situation where economic base of most cities is incapable of dealing with the problems created by the huge growth of urban population. Metro cities are clear examples urban sprawl due to large scale migration of people from the different states, seeking employment opportunities. 
 
Unplanned growth has also resulted in overcrowding—a situation where too many people live in too little space. For instance, Mumbai has one-sixth of an acre open space per thousand people though four acre is considered normal. This kind of overcrowding leads to heavy pressure on infrastructural facilities. 
 
Overcrowding leads to shortage of houses in urban areas. Housing is a bigger issue in those cities where there is large influx of immigrants. According to a recent study, around 40% of all married couples in India do not have an independent room for themselves. Around 35% of families in urban areas live in one-room houses. About one third of urban Indian families have houses without a proper kitchen, bathroom and a toilet—and there is no supply of water or power in some cases. 
 
Overcrowded cities are a breeding ground for unemployment. According to an estimate, about 50% of all urban unemployed who are educated are concentrated in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Though those living in cities earn more than those in the villages, their incomes are low considering the high cost of living in urban pockets. Unless government streamlines the large-scale migration to cities, unemployment in cities will continue to rise. 
 Another consequence of unplanned growth of urban areas is the spread of <keyword id="6367743" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="slums">slums</keyword>. In the recent years, industrialisation has led to rapid urbanisation which has resulted in undeterred growth of slums. 
 
A slew of reasons such as the large influx of rural migrants to the cities, the shortage of land for housing development and high prices of land contribute to the growth of slums. No wonder, this has been exerting huge pressure on civic amenities and infrastructure. 
Inadequate transportation is another challenge faced by people living in cities. As cities grow, more people are required to travel to work or shop, leading to clogged roads and unending traffic jams. 
 
Scarcity of drinking water is perhaps the biggest challenge thrown up by haphazard development of cities in India. In fact, no city in India gets sufficient water to meet the needs of city dwellers. In many cities, people get water from the municipal sources for less than half an hour every alternative day. In dry summer season, taps remain dry for days together. 
 
This in addition to growing problems of lack of proper sewerage management, trash disposal and pollution besides surging crime rates in cities. It is high time the government figured out whether developing select smart cities or solving the litany of problems faced by people living in existing cities should be its priority. 
 
Image: thinkstock

Smart Cities Are Good Idea, But What About Existing Ones?

NEW DELHI: BJP faces a tough test in Bihar, <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> stares at a saffron challenge in Maharashtra and regional outfits contend with turning pitches on 117 <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> seats across 11 states and one union territory where polling is due on Thursday. 
 
The 2014 Lok Sabha polls will be more than half over after elections to 347 seats are complete after the sixth phase of voting, with the 84, 91 and 41 seats left in the remaining phases. 
 
BJP and Congress are squaring off in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and state bosses like Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, AIADMK's J Jayalalitha and NCP leader Sharad Pawar are also slugging it out with their rivals. 
 
This phase will settle the fate of political biggies like SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj besides others like PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, DMK's A Raja and Congress’s Mohammad Azharuddin. 
 
The political topography is a challenge to BJP and Congress which need to defend turfs while seeking fresh gains even as regional forces like SP, BSP, AIADMK and DMK look to do much the same, with the difference that some now see BJP as an unanticipated threat. 
 
All of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and one seat of Puducherry will go to polls while elections will be over in major states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. In Maharashtra the populous bell weather Mumbai-Thane-Kalyan belt will vote along with northern areas and Raigad. 
 The contests in Mumbai are keen, with Shiv Sena-BJP hoping to snatch seats from Congress-NCP riding on an anti-UPA wave and the diminished presence of <keyword id="6355257" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Raj-Thackeray">Raj Thackeray</keyword>'s MNS. 
 
 
 
 
Tamil Nadu is a fascinating mosaic, with front runner AIADMK losing some steam while DMK reportedly making a comeback of sorts and BJP’s unlikely alliance with DMDK, MDMK and PMK emerging as a force on its own. 
 In Bihar, a virtual eclipse of <keyword id="123462" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Janata-Dal">Janata Dal</keyword> (U) poses problems for BJP with the fight appearing bi-polar in the five seats in Seemanchal and two that fall outside the region. There is a sizeable Muslim population in all seats and though BJP has been winning Araria, Purnea, Katihar and Bhagalpur, it now faces elections on its own. RJD boss Lalu Prasad and Congress seem to be back in the reckoning in the state. 
 
Mulayam Singh Yadav defends his base of Etah-Mainpuri-Etawah, areas where he must score to check a resurgent BJP with reports from 21 seats in western UP and Rohilkhand indicating gains for the saffronites. 
 
Though support for BSP is harder to gauge, SP’s main regional rival seems to be feeling the heat with religious polarisation post Muzaffarnagar riots making several contests primarily BJP versus SP affairs. 
 For BJP, the stakes continue to be high with its prime ministerial candidate <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> campaigning hard, addressing rallies in Hardoi, Etah, Firozabad and Mathura on Monday hoping for significant gains. 
 
The Jat vote is a factor in just as Yadavs are expected to rally behind SP while Akbarpur has sent BSP chief Mayawati to Lok Saba twice, most recently in 2004. 
 
In Rajasthan, prestigious Jat-influenced seats like Alwar and Bharatpur are due to poll along with constituencies like Tonk, Dausa and Sawai-Madhopur. 
 
In Chhattisgarh, urbanising seats like Durg, Raipur and Bilaspur will be voting with Congress hoping to loosen BJP's seeming stranglehold. 
 In West Bengal, Abhijeet Mukherjee, son of President <keyword id="6359124" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Pranab-Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</keyword>, is facing an uphill battle, with Murshidabad presenting the only bright spot for the party. 
 In Assam constituencies like Kokrajhar, that witnessed fierce rioting, and capital Guwahati are going to polls. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP veterans like Sumitra Mahajan (Indore) and Sushma Swaraj (Vidisha) will seek re-election besides Congress's Meenakshi Natarajan, seen to be close to <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>, from Mandsaur.

Lok Sabha Polls: Voting In 117 Seats Today; Congress Faces Saffron Challenge

The land of multi culture, technology and neo-rich generation that is well below the age of 28–29 years on an average; is it a surprise that <keyword id="6356630" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="EDM">EDM</keyword> is growing many times each year? For a country that is going through rapid urbanisation and comfortably lapping up monoculture, EDMs in India are a growing fad and how! 
 What’s EDM after all? The <keyword id="2927089" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Electronic-Music-Dance">Electronic Music Dance</keyword> (EDM) events are increasing on the Indian calendars and harmoniously blending into the traditional festivals that the country people celebrate. To think that India was never a great stop for international artists to perform or even accept a show in the metros of India till late, EDM scene has really grown manifold. Today, EDM is well a part of Indian psyche, and a <keyword id="825" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="DJ">DJ</keyword> has become somewhat a necessity for every event that involves groups and entertainment. 
 
Just about less than a decade ago, it was completely unimaginable for people to even think DJs could make a decent living and money. A country, which hinged on its traditional form of livelihood, had moved away from agriculture-based economy to urban professions that ensured economic safety such as engineering, medical or dentistry for better future. Choice of entertainment or something of performing arts turning into a career option or a way of earning livelihood was firmly ruled out. Living off entertainment was only for those who decided to take a different path. 
 
Today, all those who took that path are minting money and reaping benefits. All thanks to the changed entertainment scene in the country. With globalisation and economic empowerment, EDMs turned into a gig that aided entertainment and socialisation. This is where the young and middle aged let their hair down and enjoyed their heart out. Though initially, they were a social outcaste, the segment gradually grew to be most potent in India. 
 
How else do you explain the growth of EDMs in India that burst into the social scene less than a decade ago? Just about eight years ago, in 2007, the total capacity of EDM or any dance festivals in India was about a 10,000 people. Today, the number has shot up to more than 3,25,000 and it is simply growing with every passing day. 
 
These numbers don’t even come closer to what India holds as a potential in EDM industry. In the last couple of years, some of the highest paid DJs have moved to harness the vibrant potential of this sector in India. 
 
Home to biggest entertainment industry, India, for sure, is a land of contradictions. It isn’t easy to lay it thread bare and understand the growth. One thing is for sure, the power of new economy is something that fuels India. And it is the same economy that also keeps the fiscals in good health, despite concerns of global economic growth slowing down. 
 
Indian markets are where the world’s entertainment industry can come to breathe. The country is a bunch of contradictions. But, it also enjoys its identity of having been a vibrant culture complete with entertainment across different regions and faiths. 
 
Does this explain why Swedish House Mafia sold 18,000 tickets in Mumbai though they were priced at a premium of Rs 4000, which would have been enough to buy grocery for a small household? 
 
India is shining indeed, and it isn’t too guilty about having the cake and eating it too! 
 <keyword id="24691" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="snoop-dogg">Snoop Dogg</keyword>’s concert in Delhi and Pune was a runaway hit, along with old loyalists clamouring all over to catch a glimpse of their <keyword id="279360" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="favourite-singer">favourite singer</keyword> at <keyword id="491551" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Guns-N-Roses">Guns ‘N’ Roses</keyword>. <keyword id="202338" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Carlos-Santana">Carlos Santana</keyword> had to make way for the newbie Tiesto. 
 
Goa’s Sunburn festival is a mega festival that draws crowds in huge numbers. It is no more a mere shack-beach-beer-fenny place with waves splashing on its dunes that would make the tourists happy. Today, Sunburn festival gives them a place to let their hair down and dance to their heart’s content without having a care about the world. Did we say EDMs also had a therapeutic effect on people’s minds as well? 
 Thanks to Sunburn which started in 2007, India today feels at home with names like Avicii, <keyword id="965747" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dash-Berlin">Dash Berlin</keyword>, <keyword id="3369992" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Armin-Van-Buuren">Armin Van Buuren</keyword>, etc., who have been the most powerful entertainers in the recent times. Soon, this event will be held in Dubai and Sri Lanka too. 
 
The new economy and exploding night life, with Indian minds turning comfortable in their own skin, has helped the EDM scene go a long way in a culturally-strong country. This apart, no matter what the accusations of drug scenes prevailing at EDM events are; the entertainment has found a new path in the country. It is time to wake up, smell the coffee and realise its potential to harness it! 
 
(Image: www.edmmagazine.com)

India promises to grow big on EDM, entertainment!

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
To win it requires a much larger effort in west Africa than the outside world has so far pledged
IN SEPTEMBER 1976 scientists in Antwerp received a Thermos out of Yambuku, in what was then Zaire, with two samples from a nun who was fatally ill. One of the vials had smashed, but after scooping the other out of a pool of icy water, blood and broken glass, they discovered that they were handling a deadly and unknown virus. To spare Yambuku from infamy, they named the infection after a local river, the Ebola.
The next 36 years saw about 20 Ebola epidemics. Each was in a village or small town in central Africa and subsided after claiming fewer than 300 lives. Today's crisis is of a different order. It has struck down three countries--Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone--with a combined population of over 20m. Almost 4,500 deaths have been recorded: the actual total is much larger. The epidemic is still rampant, destroying communities as it goes. It has spread sporadically to other African countries and to Spain and America.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) fears up to 10,000 new victims a week by December, perhaps 70% of whom will die. Its chief calls the epidemic "the most severe acute public-health emergency in modern times". Now that the world has woken up to the danger, the task is to stop the toll reaching hundreds of thousands, if not millions. That is feasible only with sustained international collaboration. And so far, collaboration is something the response has tragically lacked.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Nowhere near enough resource to fight Ebola, yet <a href="http://t.co/C9p0qkKQ5t">pic.twitter.com/C9p0qkKQ5t</a>
- ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ianbremmer/status/523886879297765376">October 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

<h3>This time it's different</h3>
Like any epidemic, Ebola is best stopped early. It kills health workers by exposing them to patients who, by the end, exude up to ten litres of virus-laden fluids a day. The number of infections seems to be doubling every two to four weeks. As health-care workers fall ill and the infection grows exponentially, a society's defences against Ebola are rapidly overwhelmed.
This time the response has been fatally slow. One reason is that an Ebola epidemic had never been seen in that part of Africa. The disease may also have been helped by urbanisation and development, which strengthen the transport links that shuttle virus from villages to the town and back into uninfected country. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before Ebola would find its way into a slum too chaotic and vast to cope.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Reuters" title_caption="The outbreak as of October 2." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5443fda9ecad043c0f673a0b-960/screenshot 2014-10-19 14.05.44.png"></a>ReutersThe outbreak as of October 2.</div></div></div>
Recrimination is for later. The effort now must go into defending against Ebola's spread. The disease poses only a slight risk in rich countries, because tracing, diagnosing and isolating scattered cases is within the scope of their health systems. Officials are minimising the threat by screening travellers, though apparently healthy people can be incubating Ebola.
But to quarantine an entire chunk of west Africa would be both wrong and futile. Borders would be permeable. People would flee and pay bribes. As the virus conquered west Africa unchecked, more untraceable emigrants would carry it inside their bodies. When the epidemic spread, would you then slam the door on Ivory Coast and Nigeria? Dhaka? Mumbai?
The way to make the world safe is vigilance outside west Africa and to drain the reservoir of infection within it. Because the disease kills fast and spreads only via direct contact with body fluids, patients infect an average of just 1.5-2.2 others. If you reduce that ratio, the epidemic will slow; if you can get it below one, it will subside (see "The Ebola crisis: Much worse to come").
Science can help. If instant-diagnosis kits work, health-care workers can isolate patients early on, when the disease is hard to tell from malaria or cholera. Eventually, new vaccines could offer protection for the general population--though they will not be ready for many months. Instead the first doses should be used to try to ensure that medical staff are safe, helping to eliminate today's grave shortage of people willing to put themselves forward as carers. Other ideas include new antiviral medicine. Serum from survivors is promising, too: more could be done to get it to patients. But different treatments need to be tested against each other in a systematic way to see which ones work and which will not.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
<h3>A bad feeling</h3>
In the meantime, the world must strive to turn back Ebola the old-fashioned way. The WHO has set the goal: 70% of burials must be safe and 70% of cases isolated locally or in clinics, both within 60 days. It is a daunting task.
The plan will fail if people mistrust health advice. But fear and suspicion spread even faster than the virus. Some who try to teach people about the disease have been attacked. Conspiracy theories are rife. Some try to avoid the stigma of Ebola, by pretending they have caught something else. There is a black market in death certificates, so that families can bury their members in local graves. The good news is that safer behaviour is spreading--in the way people greet each other, and in rapid burials that shun rituals of touching and kissing.
The plan will also fail without more treatment centres. Liberia has 620 beds but needs five times that number--and the demand is growing exponentially. By one reckoning, a 70-bed clinic costs $1m a month to run and needs two to three staff for each patient. America, Britain and the World Bank have between them promised almost $2 billion. Pledges are coming in fast. If more cash is needed, it will be found. Much harder is to get the treatment centres rapidly built, supplied and staffed.
In desperation, planners are resorting to makeshift clinics and training local people to mind them--one idea is to recruit survivors, who have immunity. For the moment, more patients will use these than proper centres. Untested, and clearly second-best, their success will depend on how well the authorities can explain how to treat the sick. Nobody can say how easy that will be. It has never been tried.
Ebola infects everything. People keep away from fields and markets--so the price of cassava has more than doubled and there is a risk of hunger. Children are orphaned, businesses close, political and tribal resentments flare up. All that will only make Ebola harder to beat. It is a test for the people of west Africa. But it is also a test for a globalising world. The slums of Freetown are closer to the streets of London than they have ever been. Some, like Cuba and Médecins Sans Frontières, have risen to the occasion. Too many still have not.
Click <a href="http://www.store.eiu.com">here</a> to subscribe to The Economist

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