New book celebrates Bengaluru's BMTC bus stories, captures lives on transit
Bengaluru: A new bilingual book titled Bengalurina Bussina Kathegalu (Bengaluru’s Bus Stories) was released on Monday, offering a heartwarming collection of real-life experiences from the city’s BMTC buses. Presented in Kannada and English, the book turns the routine of bus commuting into poignant narratives of connection, emotion, and community.
Compiled by a diverse group of writers and volunteers, the book is a joint effort by researchers from Utrecht University (Netherlands), the EQUIMOB project, the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV), and the non-profit Samvada.With 23 stories divided into seven themes, it offers a people's archive of the daily life happening on Bengaluru's buses.
The stories span from childhood memories to friendships and even transformative encounters. One story remembers the excitement of taking a double-decker bus ride, while another tells how a conductor's wise action resolved a family feud over a nascent romance.
Prajwal Nagesh, one of the researchers who worked on the project, highlighted the collective effort that went into the book. "While each of us has our own recollections of BMTC buses, such stories are not often recorded. This book is a collective memory of those experiences," he said.
During the launch event, the personal bus memories were shared by volunteers such as Mamatha Gamana, which encouraged people at the event to contribute their own anecdotes, giving an insight into how these daily travels have influenced the social geography of the city for many years.
Released as an e-book, Bengaluru's Bus Stories is available on Equimob's website and the Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike blog.
Bengaluru's Bus Stories – Bengalurina Bussina Kathegalu, a book offering insights into BMTC - the city’s lifeline- was launched on Monday. It captures memories of double-deckers, bus bonds, everyday life around buses@BBPVedike pic.twitter.com/T21W2nldy4
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
