bangalore news times

Kolar : Mango growers and leaders of various farmers’ organisations staged protests across different parts of Kolar district on Monday, June 22, demanding that the state government immediately announce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mangoes and come to the aid of distressed farmers. The agitation was led by the District Mango Growers Welfare Association, which has also called for a district-wide bandh over the issue. The bandh received a strong response in Srinivaspur, one of Karnataka’s major mango-growing regions, while demonstrations were held in Kolar city and other taluk headquarters. As part of the protest, farmers dumped mangoes on roads and blocked vehicular movement to express their anger over the sharp fall in market prices. Growers alleged that they were being forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices despite investing heavily in cultivation. Also Read Karnataka mango growers threaten bandh over price crash Association president Neelatur...

Belagavi : As delayed monsoon rains continue to impact water levels across north Karnataka, a remarkable piece of history has resurfaced from the depths of the Hidkal reservoir in Belagavi district. The historic Vittala Temple, which remained submerged under the reservoir’s backwaters for more than five decades, has once again emerged in full view, drawing thousands of devotees and history enthusiasts. Located in Hunnur village of Hukkeri taluk, the temple was originally constructed in 1928 and served as an important place of worship for local residents. However, the structure was submerged in 1978 after the completion of the Hidkal Dam project and the subsequent filling of the reservoir. The reappearance of the temple is being described as a rare event. Since the formation of the reservoir, the temple has emerged from the water only twice. The first instance occurred in 2023, when severe drought conditions caused water levels to recede dramatically after nearly 48 years....

Bengaluru : Bengaluru’s soaring rental prices and shrinking living spaces have once again become a topic of discussion on social media, this time over a rather unusual reason. A video showing a western toilet installed in the balcony of a house has gone viral, leaving netizens both amused and shocked. The video, shared on X by a user named SriSathya, shows a western commode placed in a balcony enclosed with an iron mesh structure. What caught the attention of viewers was the fact that the mesh surrounding the balcony appears largely transparent, raising concerns about privacy and practicality. House in Bangalore goes viral for its unique design 👀😜 pic.twitter.com/eIpzVkvGRv — SriSathya (@sathyashrii) June 20, 2026 In the viral clip, a young woman is seen inspecting the setup and claims that the toilet is fully functional. The unusual placement of the commode has sparked widespread reactions online, with many users questioning how such a design could be appro...

Kolar: Mango growers in Karnataka’s premier mango-producing belt of Kolar district have threatened to call for a district-wide bandh on Monday, June 22, if the state government fails to announce a minimum support price (MSP) for the fruit. The farmers, reeling under a sharp decline in mango prices over the past four weeks, have demanded that the government follow the Andhra Pradesh model and provide immediate relief. Growers, traders, mandi owners, farmer organisations and several other groups have extended support to the proposed bandh, particularly in Srinivaspur, one of the state’s largest mango-producing regions. The demand comes amid a severe crash in mango prices, with growers claiming that they are being forced to sell their produce at throwaway rates. According to farmers, a tonne of mangoes is currently fetching only Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 in the market, far below the cost of production. They have urged the government to announce a minimum support price ...

Bengaluru: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has uncovered an alleged network supplying unlicensed and suspected adulterated milk from neighbouring Tamil Nadu to tea stalls, coffee shops, bakeries and hotels in Bengaluru. In a coordinated operation conducted on Sunday morning, officials intercepted and inspected more than 30 milk tankers and transport vehicles at key checkpoints along the Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border. The crackdown was launched after authorities noticed that milk was being sold in Bengaluru’s open market at prices significantly lower than those fixed by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Suspecting irregularities, a special team led by Viswanath V.R., Assistant Commissioner of FSSAI’s Bengaluru South Division, carried out inspections at the Hoskote, Attibele and Hosur checkpoints, according to reports. Also Read Hyderabad ranks lowest food hygiene standards among major cities During the operation, officials found that the milk...

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to establish a dedicated Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Department to address the concerns of overseas Kannadigas and strengthen their engagement with the state. The decision was taken following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar with heads of more than 10 NRI organisations. The proposed department will focus on resolving issues faced by Kannadigas living abroad while also facilitating investment mobilisation, skill development, employment generation, trade promotion and access to healthcare services. According to officials, the department is being designed on the lines of similar initiatives implemented in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab, which have dedicated mechanisms to support their diaspora communities. One of the key objectives of the new department will be to assist overseas Kannadigas facing legal issues, passport-related problems and emergencies such as death or repatriation. Dedicated grievance ...

Bengaluru: What was once a dried-up, neglected and encroached patch of land on the outskirts of Bengaluru has been transformed into a thriving water body, thanks to the efforts of environmentalist Gurunandan Rao and thousands of volunteers working towards lake and pond conservation. When Gurunandan first visited Bikkanahalli Kunte, the pond had virtually disappeared. Years of neglect had left it buried under layers of silt, debris and invasive growth. Encroachments had reduced its size and functionality, while the absence of water had stripped the ecosystem of its natural character. The restoration journey was not as simple as bringing in excavation equipment. Before any physical work could begin, Gurunandan and his team spent nearly seven months securing permissions, coordinating with government agencies, engaging local residents and addressing encroachments around the pond. Only after completing these procedures was the team able to start restoration work. In the early h...