Bike Taxis in the DockUnions Cite MV Act, SC RulingsSeek PM’s Immediate Intervention

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Driver Unions Seek PM’s Intervention Against Bike Taxis

Bengaluru: Opposing the operation of bike taxis, two major driver unions have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, stating that the service poses serious safety risks and threatens the livelihoods of traditional transport workers.

The Indian Vehicles Driver Trade Union and the Snehajeevi Drivers Trade Union, in a letter to the Prime Minister, said bike taxis are creating severe difficulties for auto, taxi and goods vehicle drivers who operate under existing legal and regulatory frameworks.

The unions argued that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 does not provide any clear or explicit provision permitting bike taxis. They maintained that using two-wheelers—vehicles that lack essential safety features—for commercial passenger transport endangers public safety. Accident data, they claimed, shows a significantly higher probability of mishaps involving bike taxis.
Citing Supreme Court rulings, the unions pointed out that holding a licence is not a fundamental right and that state governments have the authority to regulate transport systems in the interest of public welfare and road safety.

They warned that allowing bike taxis would not only increase road accidents but also severely impact the livelihoods of auto and taxi drivers who comply with licensing norms and pay taxes. More than five lakh driver families in the state could face economic hardship if bike taxis are permitted, the unions said.

The demand for immediate central intervention was made by Mr Gandasi Sadananda Swamy, president of the Indian Vehicles Driver Trade Union; Mr Snehajeevi Santosh Kumar, president of the Snehajeevi Drivers Trade Union; and Mr Raju Kannadiga, state general secretary, according to a press release.

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Faith and Tradition Come Alive at Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Jayanagar

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Special prayers, annadanam and cultural offerings were held at the Nanjangud Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, located in Jayanagar Fifth Block, on February 5. The religious programmes were organised under the guidance of Paramapujya Sri 1008 Sri Subudhendra Tirtha Sripadangal, and conducted under the leadership of the mutt’s senior administrator R.K. Vadindracharya.

Morning rituals included Panchamrita Abhisheka, Kanakabhisheka, special alankara and Maha Mangalarati to Sri Raghavendra Swamy, followed by annadanam for devotees.

In the evening, Rathotsava and Gajavahanotsava were held with devotional fervour. Other religious observances such as Ashtavadhana and Tottillu Puja were also performed. As part of the cultural programme, Vidushi Smt. Meenakshi Prasad, along with her disciples from Bhava Noopura Dance School, presented a devotional dance offering.

The details of the programme were shared by Sri Nandakishore Achar.

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‘A Mother’s Support Can Save a Life’: Meghana Raj Sarja’s World Cancer Day Appeal

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Meghana Raj Sarja Urges Mothers to Back Adult Children as Blood Stem Cell Donors on World Cancer Day

Bengaluru, February 5: Marking World Cancer Day, actor Meghana Raj Sarja joined hands with DKMS Foundation India to appeal to mothers and families across the country to support adult children who wish to register as potential blood stem cell donors. The initiative seeks to address fears and misconceptions surrounding donation and strengthen India’s donor registry for patients battling blood cancer and serious blood disorders.

As part of the campaign, Meghana released an emotional Kannada video on her Instagram page, speaking directly to mothers. Acknowledging their natural instinct to protect their children, she urged families to seek accurate information and stand by informed decisions taken by those aged 18 and above who choose to register as donors.

Speaking as a mother, Meghana highlighted that for many patients with blood cancer, thalassemia or aplastic anaemia, a blood stem cell transplant is often the only life-saving treatment. Yet, finding a suitable match remains extremely rare—sometimes as low as one in a million. Addressing common concerns, she clarified that blood stem cell donation is not organ donation, is a safe and voluntary process similar to platelet donation, does not cause long-term weakness or affect fertility, and that the body naturally replenishes donated stem cells.
“I understand the fear and questions a donor’s mother may have,” Meghana said. “But when adult children take an informed step to help save a life, a mother’s support can make an enormous difference—not just to her child, but to a patient waiting for hope.”

Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman, DKMS India, said Meghana’s voice brings credibility and emotional connect to the cause. He noted that with only 0.09% of India’s eligible population registered as donors, family support—especially from mothers—can help overcome the country’s genetic bottleneck and improve patient outcomes.

Healthy Indian adults aged 18–55 can register by ordering a free home swab kit from DKMS India’s website.

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AM/NS India becomes first integrated steelmaker to secure Green Steel certification

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Bengaluru, February 5, 2026: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has emerged as the country’s first integrated steel producer to receive Green Steel certification under the Ministry of Steel’s newly notified Green Steel Taxonomy, underscoring India’s push towards low-carbon industrial growth.

Under the certification framework, AM/NS India’s hot rolled (HR) coils and sheets have been awarded a four-star rating, while its cold rolled (CR) coils and sheets have received a three-star rating. These flat steel products are extensively used in sectors such as automobiles, infrastructure, defence, construction equipment and consumer durables, and their certification enables customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions across their value chains.

The Green Steel Taxonomy evaluates steel on the basis of emissions intensity, with eligibility capped at less than 2.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of finished steel (tCO₂e/tfs). Products meeting this benchmark are classified under a three-, four- or five-star rating system. AM/NS India’s certification followed a comprehensive audit by the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST).

Dilip Oommen, CEO of AM/NS India, said the taxonomy provides a clear roadmap for the sector’s decarbonisation. He noted that the certification reflects the company’s sustained investments in low-carbon manufacturing processes and clean energy, while reinforcing its commitment to national climate goals and global competitiveness.

AM/NS India’s comparatively lower emissions profile is driven by its production mix, with around 65% of capacity based on the direct reduced iron (DRI) route using natural gas, significantly reducing dependence on coal. Since 2015, this has resulted in a more than 35% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions intensity.

The company has also strengthened its sustainability efforts through renewable energy integration. Clean power from a 1-GW hybrid renewable project in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, began supplying its Hazira plant in Gujarat in 2025. In addition, AM/NS India is developing a 550-MW hybrid renewable project in Bhachau, Gujarat, expected to deliver annual CO₂ savings of about 0.9 million tonnes.

Following certification, AM/NS India has commenced commercial production of certified green HR and CR steel. In FY25, the company recorded emissions intensity 14% lower than the national average and has set a target to cut emissions intensity by 20% by 2030, compared with the 2021 baseline.

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Bengaluru’s green champions feted at ITC WOW awards

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ITC WOW Green Awards honour waste management champions in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, February 5, 2026 — Reinforcing its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and inclusive sustainability, ITC Limited on Wednesday organised the Samaagam – ITC WOW Green Awards at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium, Bengaluru. The annual ceremony recognised exemplary contributions by students, educational institutions, dry waste collectors, resident welfare associations (RWAs) and corporates for strengthening responsible waste management practices under the Clean India Mission.

The awards form a key milestone of ITC’s flagship Wellbeing Out of Waste (WOW) initiative, which seeks to drive large-scale behavioural change through source segregation, recycling and community participation. Winners of the Interschool Recycling Championship 2025–26 were also felicitated at the event.

Shri Karee Gowda, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), graced the ceremony as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present included Shri Shaik Tajuddin, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Karnataka; Shri Atheeq Anwar, Chief Administrative Officer, DPS Bangalore, Mysore and School of India; and Shri S.N. Umakanth, DGM, PSPD, ITC Ltd.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rajesh Ponnuru, Divisional Chief Executive, Paperboards & Specialty Papers Division, ITC Ltd., said community-led waste management was central to building a sustainable circular economy. He noted that the WOW initiative had consistently enabled multi-stakeholder collaboration, strengthened recycling value chains and supported livelihoods of waste collectors.

The 2025–26 championship witnessed participation from over one lakh students, who collectively contributed nearly 1,000 metric tonnes of dry waste for recycling. About 585 schools from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru and Malur took part, while nearly four lakh students were reached through awareness programmes.
Across six States, ITC WOW has engaged 74 lakh households and 77 lakh students, benefiting over 17,900 waste collectors and enabling recovery of about 65,000 metric tonnes of recyclable waste annually. In Bengaluru alone, the initiative now covers over 21 lakh households across 175 wards.
Aligned with ITC’s Sustainability 2.0 agenda, the programme supports the company’s goal of ensuring 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2028.

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