Best in Class: UK, US highschools take the lead in HSBC Hurun Global Rankings
School Snapshots:
Westminster School (London) led the list, sending over 40% of its 200 annual graduates to Oxbridge. Boys join at 13, girls at 16.
St Paul's School (London) moved to second position, with around 40 of 220 students each year heading to Oxbridge or Ivy League institutions.
The Dalton School (New York) fell to third place, still placing 20% of students at top US universities like Harvard and MIT.
St Paul's Girls' School (London) remained at fourth, consistently sending a third of its 120 graduates to Oxbridge or the Ivy League.
King's College School (London) climbed into the top five, driven by improving placement results, as per the report.
Winchester College (UK), a fully boarding institution with 600+ years of history, surged seven spots to rejoin the top tier.
The Brearley, Spence, and Collegiate Schools (New York) each maintained strong records, despite minor drops in rankings.
With 10th position, Saint Ann's School (Brooklyn) concluded the list. More than 30% of its students progressing to top US colleges. Trends and Geography:
Geographic dominance: 45% of the top high schools are in the US, followed by 40% in the UK, said the Hurun list. China ranks third globally with 9% representation.
City leaders: London and New York are home to the largest number of top schools, followed by Boston, Washington DC, and Shanghai, which surpassed Oxford.
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News18
a day ago
- News18
Mumbai Metro-1: How City's 1st Line Became Centrepoint Of Smooth East-West Travel Over 11 Years
Last Updated: Mumbai Metro Blue Line: What is the route of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Mumbai Metro-1? Is it connected to other Metros? How and where? What is ticket fare? Explained Mumbai Metro Line 1: Mumbai Metro Line 1 or Metro One, the city's first east-west corridor, completed 11 years of operation this July. The 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor has transported over 111 crore passengers, as of July. 'On its 11-year run, Mumbai Metro One has made more than 12.66 lakh train journeys…," operator Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) said. Ghatkopar has seen almost 30 crore travellers, Andheri 23 crore and Saki Naka 11 crore since its launch. The Mumbai Metro-1 Blue Line started operations on June 8, 2014, with inauguration by then CM Prithviraj Chavan. It is said to have the eighth highest passenger density of any metro line in the world. There are a total of 64 curves on the line, with the steepest curve being 107 metres (351 ft). It was built at a cost of Rs 2,356 crore. Metro One was designed as an alternative to the roads and railways on public-private-partnership (PPP) between Reliance Infrastructure and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Metro One offsets over 67,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, an impact comparable to planting over 3 million trees. The line has also been recognised with over 40 prestigious awards for its service, innovation, and environmental contributions, according to MMOPL. On this Children's Day, young adventurers boarded the Metro and had a ride full of laughter and wonder! 🚇✨ #ChildrensDay #MetroFun #HappyRides #LittleExplorers #KidsOnTheMetro #JoyfulJourneys#ChildhoodAdventures #MetroMagic #HappyLittleTravellers #MetroJoy … — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) November 15, 2024 Mumbai Metro-1: How many trains does it operate? Week-day ridership: 500,000 (highest 5.47 lakh) Train trips operated: 12,66,973 (more than 1.2 million) Cumulative kilometres covered: 1,45,21,256 What are Mumbai Metro-1 timings? First Train: 5:30 AM from both Versova and Ghatkopar. Last Train: 11:25 PM from Versova and 11:50 PM from Ghatkopar. What is the frequency of Mumbai Metro-1? Around 4 minutes during peak hours with 444 trips. Around 8 minutes during non-peak hours. 11th Foundation Day of Mumbai Metro One 🎉Towards greater achievements, stronger connections, and continuous success!Here's to the journey so far — and the exciting path ahead. 🚇💙 #MMO11Years #FoundationDay #UrbanMobility #StrongerTogether #MetroAnniversary #ConnectingMumbai … — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) June 8, 2025 Mumbai Metro-1: What is the route? What are the stations? Mumbai Metro-1 provides connectivity between the eastern and western suburbs to Western & Central Railway. It has 12 stations – Versova, DN Nagar, Azad Nagar, Andheri, Western Express Highway, Chakala (J B Nagar), Airport Road, Marol Naka, Saki Naka, Asalpha, Jagruti Nagar, Ghatkopar. It facilitates smooth and efficient interchange between suburban rail system and Metro trains at Andheri and Ghatkopar Stations. How has Metro-1 helped Mumbai? It has reduced the journey time from 71 minutes to 21 minutes, between Versova and Ghatkopar. Provides rail-based access to the MIDC, SEEPZ and commercial developments. Is Metro-1 connected to other Metro lines? Metro-1 connects to other Metro lines. Here's how: Line 2A (Dahisar East to DN Nagar): At D N Nagar Line 7 (Dahisar East to Andheri East, which runs along the Western Express Highway from Dahisar to Gundavali): At Western Express Highway Is it easy to switch lines from Metro-1? Remember you need to exit one line and buy a separate ticket or tap your NCMC smart card for the next line. Here's how easy the switch is: 1. DN Nagar (Line 1)-Andheri West (Line 2A): There's a covered connector / skywalk linking DN Nagar station (Line 1) directly to Andheri West station (Line 2A). Commuters exit Line 1, cross the skywalk, and enter Line 2A platform at the other end—no street crossing needed. The walk is short and sheltered, typically under 5 minutes. 2. Western Express Highway (Line 1)-Gundavali (Line 7): These stations are connected by a 58 metre foot overbridge (FOB) built by MMRDA, linking the two platforms directly. Walking distance is about 58 metres, so roughly 1 minute for most people. 3. Marol Naka (Line 1)-Line 3 (Aqua Line): At Marol Naka, Line 1 (elevated) and Line 3 (underground) serve the same location but do not share a direct internal connector. You must exit one station, walk externally on footpaths, and enter the other station separately. This walk is around 500 metres, about 5–7 minutes depending on crowd and path condition. Path quality can vary—some say footpaths may be narrow or uneven, especially around major roads. Why Metro-1 matters in office journey in all directions: From Ghatkopar, Dahisar or Borivli to BKC or Worli Metro-1 is a key connector in your journey from Ghatkopar or Mumbai suburbs, Dahisar or Borivli East to Worli. Ghatkopar to Worli: Taking a local Central Railway train, you can get off at Ghatkopar station. It is interconnected to the Ghatkopar Metro station. For those coming from Western Railway or the harbour line, the interchange is at LIC Andheri. If your office is in Andheri or Versova, the Metro line takes you directly to the spot. If you want to go to Worli, from Marol Naka (Metro-1), you can go to BKC or Worli using Metro-3. If your destination is Dahisar, you need to get off at Western Express Highway (Metro-1), walk for five minutes to reach Metro 7. Dahisar East to Worli: Take Metro-7 and get off at Gundavli. Change over to Metro-1's (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) Western Express Highway station. It is a five-minute walk between Metro 7 and Metro-1 through a 58-metre foot overbridge. Using Metro-1, travel towards Ghatkopar and get off at Marol Naka. Change over to the underground Metro-3 which will take you to BKC or further to Worli. Coming from an area in the vicinity of Dahisar, you can board Metro-7 at any of these stations: Dahisar East, Ovaripada, National Park, Devipada, Magathane, Poisar, Akurli, Kurar, Dindoshi, Aarey, Goregaon E (Interconnect Mumbai Metro-6: Pink Line), Jogeshwari E, Shankarwadi, and Gundavali (Earlier Andheri East, Interconnect Mumbai Metro-1 — Blue Line and Mumbai Metro: 7A – Red Line). Metro 7A is the southern extension of the operational Metro Line 7 from Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East). Borivli West to Worli: Take Metro-2A from Borivali West and get off at Andheri West. Change over to Metro-1's DN Nagar station. Using Metro-1, travel towards Ghatkopar and get off at Marol Naka. Change over to the underground Metro-3 and head to BKC or further to Worli. Stations on Metro 2A are — Dahisar (East), Anand Nagar, Kandarpada, Mandapeshwar-I C Colony, Eksar, Borivali (West), Pahadi Eksar, Kandivali (West), Dahanukarwadi, Valnai, Malad (West), Lower Malad, Pahadi Goregaon, Goregaon (West), Oshiwara, Lower Oshiwara, Andheri (West). Once Metro-3 is connected to Colaba, the journey will become even smoother. 🚇 तुम्ही सुरळीत प्रवास करण्यास तयार आहात का? 🎫📲 मुंबई मेट्रो वनच्या व्हॉट्सॲप तिकीटामुळे तुम्हाला लांब रांगेत उभे राहण्याची गरज नाही. कुठूनही तुमचे डिजिटल तिकीट बुक करा. हे खूप सोपे आहे. तुमच्या सोयीसाठी तिकीट फक्त एका क्लिकच्या अंतरावर आहे!🌟 #WhatsAppTicketing #EasyTravel … — Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) December 20, 2023 How can you get tickets for Mumbai Metro-1? There are various options: 1. Paytm App: Tickets are mobile QR codes; no need for physical smart cards. Payment via UPI, cards, etc., within Paytm. 2. At the station: Single Journey Ticket (SJT) or Return Journey Ticket (RJT) available. Token/Vending Machines (TVMs/AVMs): Accept cash, UPI, debit/credit cards at stations. Ticket Selling Officers (TSO): Counters also issue paper QR tickets for single or return trips. 3. WhatsApp Ticketing (Line 1 support): Line 1 also supports WhatsApp-based ticket purchases. Send 'Hi" to +91 96700 08889 for a ticket link and QR code. 4. All automatic fare collection (AFC) gates on Line 1 stations have been upgraded to accept NCMC-compliant cards, alongside the older closed-loop metro cards. You can now tap a single Mumbai 1 card at entry and exit gates for travel on Metro Line 1. Points to remember while buying tickets QR tickets (single or return journey) expire within the same operational business day and cannot be refunded or canceled once issued The 'Mumbai 1' app presently supports Line 2A and 7 only and does not support booking for Line 1; Paytm remains the go-to app for Line 1 bookings. What are the fares for Mumbai Metro-1? In case of line 1, fare range is Rs 10-40. Is Mumbai Metro-1 connected to other public transport? Bus: Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses serve all Metro-1 stations, offering last-mile connectivity across Andheri, Juhu, Ghatkopar, Sakinaka, and Kurla areas. Major stations like Andheri, Western Express Highway (WEH), Ghatkopar, and Saki Naka have dedicated bus stops or depots nearby. Common BEST routes near Metro-1 stations include: 202, 254, 340, 371, 375 (Ghatkopar area) 186, 340, 392, 496 (Andheri area) 419, 433, 472, 505 (Sakinaka and Marol areas) Railway: Andheri Station (Western Line): Walkable via skywalk to Andheri Metro station. Ghatkopar Station (Central Line): Connected via elevated walkway to Ghatkopar Metro. These are the two primary rail-to-metro interchanges on Line 1 and are among the busiest. Autorickshaws and taxis: Auto rickshaw stands are available at almost all Metro-1 stations. Prepaid taxi counters are available at Andheri and Ghatkopar. App-based cab pick-up zones (Uber, Ola) are common but can be congested during peak hours. top videos View all Will Metro-1 be connected to upcoming/planned lines? Line 2B (Extension of Line 2A): It runs from DN Nagar (Line 1's terminal) further east toward Mandale. While Line 2B starts from DN Nagar, passengers on Line 1 will continue changing at DN Nagar itself—a built interchange. No new physical connector is planned; existing interchange facility will suffice. Line 6 (Pink Line): Connects Jogeshwari-Vikhroli; intersects with Line 1 only indirectly—no direct interchange is planned at this time. Line 3 (Aqua Line): Already connects at Marol Naka. Line 4 / 4A / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14: These future lines fall under Metro 4 and its extensions (Lines 10 & 11), Metro 5/12, Metro 7/9, and other corridors. At Ghatkopar, Line 1 meets Line 4. Line 11 (Wadala-CSMT) would intersect Metro 4, but no integration with Line 1 is part of that plan as of now. Line 8 (Gold Line Airport Express): This airport-to-airport line (CSMIA Terminal 2 to Navi Mumbai International Airport) is approved. No direct interchange with Line 1 is planned for now. About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More tags : Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd Mumbai metro Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation news18 specials view comments Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: July 28, 2025, 17:25 IST News cities » mumbai-news Mumbai Metro-1: How City's 1st Line Became Centrepoint Of Smooth East-West Travel Over 11 Years Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on hydropower development on Yarlung Tsangpo and Monsoon in Indian tradition (Week 112)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss the geomorphological features of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. Why is it significant in the context of global hydropower development? Discuss the significance of the monsoon season in classical Indian art traditions. Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: Discuss the geomorphological features of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. Why is it significant in the context of global hydropower development? Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Yarlung Tsangpo is the largest river on the Tibetan plateau, originating from a glacier near Mount Kailash. 'Tsangpo' means river in Tibetan. According to academic Costanza Rampini in the Political Economy of Hydropower in Southwest China and Beyond (2021), the basin spreads over more than 500,000 sq km of land in China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, 'though 80% of it lies in China and India.' It runs 2,057 km in Tibet before flowing into India. One fascinating feature of the river is the sharp 'U' turn that it takes, known as the Great Bend, at the proximity of Mount Namcha Barwa near the Indian border. — In India, the Yarlung Tsangpo enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang. The Siang then gathers more streams and flows down towards Assam where it is joined by the Lohit and Dibang rivers. Further downstream, it is known as the Brahmaputra, which in turn flows through Assam before entering Bangladesh. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — China has constructed several dams along tributaries of the Yarlung Tsangpo, such as the Pangduo and Zhikong dams on the Lhasa River. In 2014, it completed the Zangmu Dam along the main stem of the Yarlung Tsangpo. The Indian government, too, has expedited the clearance of big dams along the YTB and its tributaries. — The river crosses one of the disputed boundaries between India and China — the McMahon Line, which separates the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet. The McMahon Line was negotiated in 1914 by representatives of the new Republic of China, the Tibetan government, and the British government. — As the YTB descends from the Himalayan mountains to the plains of Assam, it crosses steep slopes and gathers strong energy, which gets scattered in the form of intense summer floods, especially in India and Bangladesh. 'The energy that the YTB gains throughout its course also puts the river at the centre of China's and India's recent renewable energy development strategies,' says Rampini. For long, both countries have been mobilising their engineering capacities to dam their respective stretches of the river and harness optimal hydropower. — India and the international community continue to recognise it as the legal border between North-east India and the current-day Tibet Autonomous Region of China. However, since gaining control over Tibet in the mid-20th century, China has contested the border, arguing that Tibet was not an independent state at the time of the treaty, making it invalid. Conclusion: — The Brahmaputra, or Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is counted among the world's ten major rivers; there is also no major international water treaty governing the YTB. Bangladesh, as the lowest riparian country in the basin, feels the most threatened, experts say. — The melting of Himalayan snow and ice has a significant impact on the YTB's flows and flood intensity. As human activities raise surface temperatures, the Himalayas may experience glacier mass losses ranging from 15% to 78% by 2100. As glaciers disappear, glacier-fed rivers like the YTB will see an increase in runoff as more glacial melt fills their flows. — The YTB river system connects the destiny of China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Scholars fear that unregulated dam-building initiatives along the Yarlung Tsangpo, as well as the current mega project, could result in a 'water war' between the nations. (Source: As Beijing prepares to build world's biggest hydropower dam, a look at the Yarlung Tsangpo River) Points to Ponder Read more about Brahmaputra River and its course of flow Read about hydropower electricity generation Related Previous Year Questions The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020) How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020) QUESTION 2: Discuss the significance of the monsoon season in classical Indian art traditions. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The rain element has always been dominant in Indian cultural works. It has inspired poets and artists alike, as well as Vedic hymns sung to appease the rain gods and bring in timely rains. — At first glance, depictions of monsoons in South Asian art appear to be dominated by a certain collection of motifs and symbolic structures—passionate lovers in the rain, young women braving clouds and lightning to meet their loved one, peacocks, lush foliage, and joyful animals. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — In their book, Monsoon Feelings: A History of Emotions in Rain (2018), historians Imke Rajamani, Margrit Pernau, and Katherine Butler Schofield write that although these recurring themes and symbols in Indian art would lead one to assume that the monsoons elicited the same kind of emotions across time and region, that, in fact, was not true. 'Monsoon feelings have a history, which encompasses both continuity and change,' they write. They also point to the rise and decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation, which they write is attributed to changing patterns of monsoons. — Take, for instance, the kingdom of Bikaner, which has historically been one of the driest states of India. However, as noted by art historian Molly Emma Aitken in her article, 'Dark, Overwhelming, yet Joyful: The Monsoon in Rajput Painting', 'the ceilings and walls of its Junagadh Fort burst with monsoon clouds and driving lines of rain, with white cranes flying across wall panels of monsoon black.' Here, monsoon was celebrated for being auspicious and bearing the promise of fertility. — An example is a 16th century folio from the Harivamsa showing Lord Krishna holding up Mount Govardhan to shelter the villagers of Braj. — Abhisarika Nayika, one of ancient Indian aesthetics' eight sorts of heroines, is a popular figure in monsoon art. In art, Abhisarika Nayika is portrayed as a bold woman walking into the stormy night to see her beloved. She is depicted as a pale person in a dark, wet, demon-infested night, unaware of the impediments in her path, including vipers entwined around her legs. The rain and lightning in these paintings represent a hurdle to love, as well as the heroine's bravery and devotion. — The classical Sanskrit poem, Meghaduta, by Kalidasa has lent itself as a theme to artists painting the monsoon. The poem tells the story of a yaksha who longs for his wife and uses a cloud as a messenger. In Kalidasa's poetic description, the beauty of the Himalayan landscape comes to life in the rainy season, with rivers flowing gracefully and elephants playing in the forests. — The monsoons continued to have a significantly more pervasive presence in 17th-century paintings of musical modes known as Ragamala paintings. This type of painting, which started in 17th-century Rajasthan, depicts variants of Indian musical modes or ragas. As a result, in these paintings, each raga is represented by a hue and a mood, as well as the season of the year or time of day when the raga is supposed to be sung. (Source: Painting the rain: How Indian art obsesses with the monsoons) Points to Ponder Read more about Indian Paintings Read more about Monsoon Related Previous Year Questions Why is the South-West Monsoon called 'Purvaiya' (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultured ethos of the region? (2023) What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia? (2017) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 110) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 111) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
News18
6 days ago
- News18
Guess what 400 signatures could get you in Bengaluru
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Bengaluru, Jul 24 (PTI) There is a story behind Metro Feeder Bus 314A/1, launched on July 19 by Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to serve the residents of Kaggadasapura and C V Raman Nagar. And the moral of the story too: when people get together, they can get things done. It took 400 signatures from citizens concerned and three months of hustling the power that be before the long-awaited bus materialised. The feeder bus, apart from serving residents, is also expected to benefit those working in Bagmane Tech Park as well as the employees of the Defence Research and Development Organistaion (DRDO) office in Kaggadasapura. The campaign started in 2024, said Shachi Pathak, a resident of Kaggadasapura who led the campaign. 'To get that 400 signatures was not easy, but it was easier than my first civic campaign to rejuvenate Kaggadasapura lake. Now, I understand how to go about these things: persuasion is the key," said Pathak to PTI. Pathak, who has been active in civic volunteering space since 2022, knows how the system works, agreed Srinivas Alavilli, Senior Fellow at WRI India, who works on creating sustainable transport solutions. 'She understood the route needs, mobilised her neighbours and apartment associations. Collected 400 signatures and then submitted a formal petition to BMTC in person," he added. A software engineer, who had to quit her job for personal reasons, Pathak said she now runs a firm that provides resume writing consultation. Pathak, 44, moved to Bengaluru from Varanasi after her marriage in 2006. 'Initially, I started by volunteering to manage social media groups of residents from C V Raman Nagar and K R Puram constituencies. It didn't take me long to realise that there is a huge gap between people having issues and authority taking action. To bridge this gap, we need more active citizens," she added. Pathak recalled how when she finally stood up for Kaggadasapura lake, she stood alone as no one really knew her. 'It was also a lonely battle, because people had by then given up. I was not the first one to talk about it. But I still surveyed and collected feedback from hundreds of residents and submitted it to the Chief Commissioner and MLAs," said Pathak. The success of that project and her conviction had people rallying behind her for the subsequent campaigns. Around October 2023, Pathak said she joined the group of people who were pushing for the first feeder bus for the area. 'The first bus came easily enough, in just a month, but one feeder bus service was not enough to cover the whole area, so our neighbourhood got left out," said Pathak. The next phase of their campaign faced delays, she added. 'BMTC was slow to act on some of our suggestions, and key routes like Kaggadasapura Main Road remained unaddressed. Additionally, damaged roads forced us to pause efforts for a while. After the Lok Sabha elections in mid-2024, we revived the campaign with renewed energy," she said. Over the years of dealing with authorities, Pathak said she understood the power of people getting together. 'One person does not matter to the authorities. The more people, the better it is for the campaign. Also, persuasion is a continuous process. So, I realised that it is very important to keep people engaged and to build a community," said Pathak. This is where 'X', Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, came to her help, said Pathak. Through various groups, she and other volunteers cater to the social needs of her neighbourhood. 'We help residents to connect with each other to get information or advice on education, real estate, reselling of old items, or even pursue their hobbies. We also have a group for Kannada learning. Many women entrepreneurs are benefitting from these groups," said Pathak. Another citizen group that is leveraging social media to build a community is the popular HSR Citizen Forum, whose sustainable living campaigns often go viral. Incidentally, the first successful feeder bus service was introduced in HSR Layout in August 2023. Shashidhara K, a member of HSR Citizen Forum, said because they were selected by Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT)'s Sustainable Mobility Accords (SuMA) Initiative, due to their proactive citizen initiatives, they could plan the route and stops, based on the feedback from residents, making the service most effective in Bengaluru. 'We planned this over three years with DULT. We had bus stops at every 300 m, about 18 of them, and situated in such a way that either direction commuters would have access to a bus every 5 to 8 minutes," said Shasidhara. But where HSR Citizen Forum really won is in its relentless outreach efforts. The campaign that lasted three months ingrained the idea of using feeder buses that they run full almost at any time, said Shanthi Tummala, an active member of the citizen forum, to PTI. People, irrespective of their social standing, have developed the habit of jumping into them instead of taking their private vehicles, she added. Tummala said BMTC had introduced feeder buses twice before in HSR Layout and had to phase them out as they didn't get expected traction. 'This time, we decided to involve citizens even during the planning stage. We put out route maps at every place possible. We literally drove into every resident's head about the availability of service, timings and the route. It has paid off now," added Tummala. PTI JR KH (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 09:30 IST News agency-feeds Guess what 400 signatures could get you in Bengaluru Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
