Footpath Failure in Bangalore: Will 2016 be a Happier New Year?

ootpaths — or sidewalks for the American reader — fail to address the needs of pedestrians in Bangalore adequately.

Various kinds of imperfections exist in the footpaths in Bangalore. The NGO Janaagraha has done a scientific study, 2015 Street Quality Score, and concluded that 75% of footpaths in inner Bengaluru, and 58% in outer part walkable.

Intolerance Needed in Bangalore: To Chaotic Traffic.

ntolerance is very much occupying media these days in India.

A key fuel for this intolerance debate appears to be public statements by renowned Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. While this intolerance hits at the very basic foundation of secularism of Indian democracy, and deserves to be properly handled, I see the need for a difference kind of intolerance needed in Bangalore: Intolerance to chaotic traffic.

The Reality of 100 Mbps of Internet Service in Bangalore.

nternet is a very important service that anyone needs in today's world.

Thus, there is a constant effort that everyone makes to get to a better speed of Internet service. For example, it is well known that Internet-based videoconferencing, Cisco recommends, will need at least 384 kbps. And, for video streaming, Netflix recommends 3.0 Mbps for SD and 5.0 Mbps for HD quality.

Dealing with Diabetes.

iabetes is a worldwide epidemic.

A World Health Organization (WHO) article proclaims Type 2 Diabetes: An Epidemic Requiring Global Attention and Urgent Action.

As of The 7th Edition of the Diabetic Atlas of the International Diabetes Foundation, there are 387 million afflicted with diabetes worldwide today.

The article Is Diabetes Becoming the Biggest Epidemic of the Twenty-first Century? provides a richer variety of statistics to substantiate its title.

An interesting spectacle a couple of days ago in South Bangalore made me realize how Bangalore is

Make-Shift Testing Desk

coping with this epidemic. A healthcare industry employee in Bangalore sets up a temporary, make-shift, desk near public areas such as community parks. At this desk, the employee administers glucose measurement and blood pressure measurement for ₹30 ($0.45) and ₹20 ($0.30) respectively.

This setup is at the instance of a local hospital — name withheld by request of the employee — which, I presume, hopes that the individuals that got tested would eventually go to the hospital for any future medical needs. A useful service, I'd say.

How much of an education the tested individuals get through this testing episode is another matter. After all, you cannot improve anyone's life in an effective way unless the person gets sufficiently educated as well.

Uber Rides in Bangalore, 2015

esterday's Uber ride from Bangalore South to Bangalore North leaves me with the impression that Uber rides have made great progress since my first one.

Specifically:

1. It seems that Google Maps, on which the Uber software is built, has become very reliable within Bangalore. Quote from yesterday's driver, exuding confidence: "If you have given your [home] address correctly, then I can park the car in front of your home." "ನೀವು ನಿಮ್ಮ [ಮನೆಯ] addressನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಹಾಕಿದ್ದರೆ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಮುಂದೆಯೇ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಬಹುದು."
2. Even at about 8:00 am this, November 20th, Friday morning you can see in the snapshot at right that there are 5 cars in wait for a Malleswaram Circle pickup location. The density of cars used to be much less in peripheral areas such as Malleswaram Circle last year. (Some people might regard Malleswaram as central to Bangalore, but I regard the Kempegowda Circle area, MG Road, et al., as more central).
3. Based on the kind of conversation I was able to strike with yesterday's driver, it looks like some of these drivers are also being sensitized to the importance of being good conversationalists too. I don't know whether Uber makes any special effort towards this user experience.
4. It is indeed true that the Uber rates are not much more expensive than the auto rates: I paid ₹228.09 for a 15.26km ride. Based on the tariffs in effect since January 8, 2014, the auto would have charged me probably 15.26*₹13.00, or ₹195.

Summary: I'll continue to patronize Uber during my presence in Bangalore. (Disclaimer: I don't own any shares of Uber).