Latest news with #BengaluruMetropolitanTransportCorporation
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Unsung heroes: Meet Ranganath, a BMTC driver who has rescued over 4000 snakes in 30 years
In 1996, amidst the lush forests of Karnataka's Malnad region in Shivamogga district, a young Ranganath K joined 35 classmates from his government school for a reptile conservation trek. What began as an educational outing transformed into a lifelong mission for Ranganath, now 44, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus driver and dedicated snake rescuer. Over the past three decades, he has saved 4,552 venomous and non-venomous reptiles, earning him widespread admiration. On May 19, 2025, Ranganath made his first international flight to Malaysia to receive his second honorary doctorate from American Wisdom Peace University, a testament to his extraordinary contributions. Born into a farming family, Ranganath, the eldest among three children, was enrolled in a government school while his siblings attended private institutions. Ranganath was tasked with household chores like working in the fields and tending cattle. His life pivoted in 1996, while he was in Class 9, when an American family visited Sagara, Shivamogga, to research the region's evergreen forests and engage local people in reptile conservation. Ranganath and his classmates volunteered for the trek. 'I was terrified of everything — any animal would send me running,' he recalls. 'But that trek changed me. The Americans taught us about reptile conservation, snake identification, and safe handling, sparking a passion I didn't know I had,' Ranganath says. This experience ignited a lifelong commitment to rescuing reptiles. After completing his SSLC (Class 10), Ranganath pursued a pre-university course at Sacred Heart PU College in Shivamogga, followed by a two-year industrial training programme at Sri Jagadguru Panchacharya Industrial Institute. During this time, he donated blood 33 times, once skipping an exam to save a woman's life. Fearing his family's disapproval, he fled to Bengaluru with Rs 1,000 and 20 kg of rice from his father, seeking a fresh start. In Bengaluru, Ranganath took up menial jobs—cleaning public toilets, clearing drains, and collecting garbage—to survive. He married in 2008, welcomed his first son in 2010, and secured a job as a BMTC driver in 2011. Stationed at Depot 32 in the North West zone, he operates the 242JA bus route between Ganakal and Shivajinagar, covering over 8 lakh kilometers in 14 years. Known affectionately as 'Ranganna' by passengers, he's a kind yet firm figure, reprimanding students for unsafe behaviour like standing on the bus footboard or disrespecting women. 'From corporators to MLAs, I've driven them all,' he says with pride. Ranganath never rescues snakes during his driving shifts, reserving such efforts for nighttime calls. He recounts a harrowing incident: 'A water snake had entered a cattle shed. As I tried to catch it, it slipped onto a cow. I grabbed it just before it could bite the animal, but it struck my hand. Thankfully, it was non-venomous.' Such risky rescues are routine for him. A three-month hiatus from snake rescuing, prompted by his family's superstitious concerns, led to financial strain and scarcity at home. 'We even ran out of rice,' he says. 'I realised then that this work is my calling, a divine blessing,' says Ranganath. He charges nothing for rescues, though some offer small sums for fuel. Trained in traditional medicine, he also mentors his second son, a Class 8 student, in these practices back in Sagara. His advice for encountering a reptile? 'Stay calm and still. Snakes are shy—they only react to movement or vibrations. Just wait, and they'll retreat.' His life's philosophy is equally straightforward: 'I want to earn people's love, not money. I want to be remembered for my service and character long after I'm gone.' Ranganath's dedication has earned him accolades, including the Kannada Seva Ratna Award, the Kannada Rajyotsava Award, and an honorary doctorate from Asia International Culture Research University for his expertise in reptile conservation. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
BMTC launches ‘Divya Darshana' spiritual tour across Bengaluru's 8 iconic temples. More details
In a bid to boost spiritual tourism within the city, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced the launch of a new package tour, 'Divya Darshana'. Set to commence on May 31, the service will operate on weekends and public holidays. Also Read - Mohandas Pai slams Bengaluru metro authorities over Yellow Line delays, calls work culture 'lousy' Following the success of earlier initiatives like 'Bengaluru Darshini' and the special tour to the Isha Foundation — which together served over 50,000 passengers in the past year — BMTC is now offering this latest curated experience aboard air-conditioned buses. Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the tour will begin each day from the Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic) at 8:30 a.m. and return by 6:05 p.m. 'This initiative not only celebrates the city's spiritual heritage but also provides a comfortable and affordable way for devotees and tourists to visit some of the most revered temples around Bengaluru,' he said. This is also expected to boost the revenue of BMTC and create more footfalls for the public transportation. However, residents are hoping that this service will be launched from several parts of Bengaluru for the convenience of devotees. Also Read - Truck driver killed in Mangaluru, authorities clamp down to curb communal tensions Sri Gali Anjaneya Swamy Temple Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple Shrungagiri Sri Shanmukha Swamy Temple Sri Devi Karumari Amman Temple Omkar Hills Temple ISKCON Vaikuntha Temple (Vasanthapura) Art of Living Sri Sri Ravishankar Ashram Banashankari Temple Tickets are priced at ₹450 for adults and ₹350 for children, inclusive of GST. Bookings can be made online through the KSRTC website ( For further assistance, BMTC has also set up helplines at 080-22483777 and 7760991170.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- The Hindu
BMTC launches ‘Divya Darshana' temple tour package in Bengaluru from May 31
: Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced the launch of a new package tour 'Divya Darshana', to promote spiritual tourism within the city. The service, which is set to begin on May 31, will run on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. 'Building on the success of its Bengaluru Darshini and Bengaluru Isha Foundation tours which served over 50,000 passengers in a year, this initiative from BMTC offers air-conditioned bus services covering eight prominent temples in and around Bengaluru. The tour will start at Kempegowda Bus Station at 8.30 a.m. and return to the same point by 6.05 p.m.,' Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said. The itinerary includes visits to Sri Gali Anjaneya Swami Temple, Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, Shrungagiri Sri Shanmukha Swami Temple, Sri Devi Karumaari Ammanavara Temple, Omkar Hills Temple, ISKCON Vaikunta Temple (Vasanthapura), the Art of Living Sri Ravishankar Ashram, and Banashankari Temple. Tickets are priced at ₹450 for adults and ₹350 for children, inclusive of GST. Passengers can book in advance via the KSRTC website ( BMTC has also provided helpline numbers — 080-22483777 and 7760991170 for further information.
India Today
24-05-2025
- India Today
Conductor averts accident after bus driver suffers heart attack in Tamil Nadu
An alert conductor and passengers averted an accident as the driver of a bus plying in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district suffered a heart attack on Friday. The bus driver, identified as Prabhu, died of a heart attack.A video, captured by the CCTV camera installed inside the bus, showed that the conductor and the passengers rushed to help the driver, who fainted as he had a heart attack and consequently lost control of the bus. The conductor pulled the emergency brakes in time as the passengers attended to the were aboard a private bus plying toward Pudukottai. As the bus was crossing Kanakampatti, Prabhu called the conductor, attempting to signal that he was experiencing extreme chest pain, but before anyone could react, Prabhu fainted. Seeing that the driver had lost consciousness and had no control over the vehicle any more, the conductor reacted swiftly, bringing the bus to an immediate halt and averted an have launched an investigation into the case. They are examining the CCTV footage obtained from the bus and are also interrogating the conductor and the a similar incident that came to light in November last year, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) driver passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest while operating a bus near Yeshwantpur. Kiran, 39, was driving the bus from Nelamangala to Yeshwantpur when he suddenly experienced severe chest pain and lost a number of heart attack cases have been reported wherein people have died attending events or going about their daily routine this month, a 22-year-old bride-to-be died of cardiac arrest during the Haldi ceremony, a day before her wedding in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun. In another shocking incident, a 35-year-old man died after collapsing from a suspected heart attack while trying to start his scooter in Chhattisgarh's before that a 50-year-old man named Wasim Sarwat collapsed after suffering a heart attack while dancing at his 25th wedding anniversary in UP's Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
BMTC to introduce new NICE road route from Tavarekere to Electronics City
In a move to enhance last-mile connectivity for commuters in Bengaluru, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced the introduction of a new non-AC bus route 'NICE-6T' starting May 26. The new route will connect Tavarekere to Electronics City via Kadabagere Cross, Gollarahatti, and the NICE Road, catering especially to daily office-goers and industrial area employees. BMTC will deploy two buses on this route, making four trips per day, according to a release. Morning services will depart from Tavarekere at 7.20 a.m. and 8 a.m., while return trips from Electronic City are scheduled for 5.15 p.m. and 5.45 p.m.
