Latest news with #Ranganath
Hans India
15 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Hans India
How Restoring Bathukamma Kunta is Transforming Life for Hyderabad Locals
HYDRAA's work to improve their neighborhood lakes. HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath evaluated lake rejuvenation work during field visits to advance water body conservation projects in Hyderabad. The commissioner checked Bathukamma Kunta revival in Amberpet as well as Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula located in the Old City. The community recognizes HYDRAA for their work on transforming nearby lakes. The HYDRAA Commissioner highlighted the need to restore lakes for flood control purposes and to develop them into both ecological resources and recreational spaces for the city. The local people experience happiness due to Hyderabad lake restoration. Ranganath examined Bathukamma Kunta's condition and checked the engineered rainwater channels at both entry and exit points. Near the lake he observed the diversion works which separated stormwater from sewage lines. The Bathukamma festival showed their deep gratitude towards the restoration project which they described as "a breath of new life" for their area. Residents saw the return of migratory birds and waterfowl as evidence of ecological recovery and asked for a new community hall to be built near the lake. The Commissioner promised the community that their suggestion would undergo evaluation. Warning on illegal dumping along Musi River The Commissioner responded to allegations about unauthorized soil dumping along the Musi riverbed by stating that the culprits were given warnings and instructed to remove the debris within seven days. If violators do not remove the soil within the specified time frame they will face legal proceedings and formal charges. The Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula lake will be brought back to its full original size. Ranganath made an inspection trip to Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula located within the Old City. The lake which originally covered 18 acres has lost nearly half its area to encroachment and debris accumulation. The HYDRAA team continues its restoration efforts for the community lake project by removing soil buildup to retrieve the lost area and expand it to its original dimensions. Plans for public parks and walking paths HYDRAA is creating walking tracks, children's play areas and green spaces around the lakes as part of their rejuvenation efforts. According to Commissioner Ranganath the restoration project aims to protect water bodies while creating dynamic public spaces for residents.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Political slugfest breaks out between Opposition and Congress over Hemavathi river link canal project
The Karnataka government's decision to continue work on the Hemavathi River Link Canal Project in Tumakuru district has triggered a political slugfest with the Opposition accusing the Congress of diverting water to taluks of Bengaluru South district (earlier Ramanagara). A day after a massive protest by BJP MLAs, farmers, and seers against the commencement of work on the project near Gubbi town in Tumakuru district, H.D. Ranganath, Kunigal MLA (Congress), issued a statement that the link canal was being developed for providing water to farmers and residents of Kunigal taluk and not Magadi or Ramanagara taluks. Mr. Ranganath, who is also a relative of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said that Kunigal taluk had been denied justice for the last 25 years. Now the work had commenced under the leadership of Mr. Shivakumar at an estimated cost of ₹615 crore in the first phase to ensure 3.01 tmcft of water to Kunigal. The total water allocated to the district was 24 tmcft, he said. Mr. Ranganath recalled the struggle led by former Ministers Y.K. Ramaiah and N. Huchamasty Gowda to bring water from Hemavathi river to Tumakuru district and said that some leaders from Hassan denied water to Kunigal. 'The BJP and the JD(S) leaders have been misleading the public. I am ready to continue to fight and sacrifice my life for the completion of the link canal to bring water to Kunigal taluk,' Mr. Ranganath declared. BJP terms canal 'unscientific' B. Suresh Gowda, Tumakuru Rural MLA, G.B. Jyothi Ganesh, Tumakuru City MLA, and N. Ravikumar, MLC, (all BJP) have termed the link canal 'unscientific'. Mr. Gowda on Sunday said he too would be ready to sacrifice his life to stop the diversion of water to Ramanagara. He argued that the Congress-led government was attempting to divert Tumakuru district's share of water to the Ramanagara region. 'The Cauvery is a perennial river, whereas we receive water from the Hemavathi only for three to four months. I am not opposing giving water to Kunigal,' Mr. Gowda said. Mr. Ravikumar asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mr. Shivakaumar and district in-charge Minister G. Parameshwara to hold talks with elected representatives of the district to resolve the matter. Following the protest on Saturday, the district administration temporarily halted the work. Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna wrote to Mr. Siddaramaiah opposing the project. The BJP leaders claimed that Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Water Resources Minister, is spearheading the project. Meanwhile, H.C. Balakrishna, Magadi MLA (Congress), said that the people of Magadi have been patiently and rightfully claiming their share of water. Tumakuru district has been receiving water from other river sources. 'Will he (Mr. Gowda) not come to Bengaluru? We know what to do when they (Mr. Gowda and MLA for Turuvekere M.T. Krishnappa) come to Bengaluru,' Mr. Balakrishna warned. Congress MLA opposed it However, S.R. Srinivas, Gubbi MLA, of the Congress, said he too opposed the link canal project. 'I too oppose the project and tried to meet Mr. Shivakumar on Saturday but could not meet him. I respect the people's sentiments,' the MLA said.
Indian Express
5 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
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- New Indian Express
HYDRAA frees grabbed park land
HYDERABAD: HYDRAA has reclaimed one acre of park land valued at Rs 40 crore in Mytrayee Nagar, Chandanagar, following a complaint received through Prajavani. Residents of Mytrayee Nagar had alleged that the property had been encroached upon, converted into plots and sold despite being legally classified as park land. Locals also complained that those allegedly responsible for the encroachment continued efforts to assert control over the land. Following verification, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath identified the one-acre plot reserved for the park and directed personnel and machinery to reclaim the land. In a separate incident in Ghatkesar, HYDRAA demolished unauthorised boundary walls built across public roads in Jayapuri Colony, located near the ORR. Acting on complaints from affected plot owners, the teams, under Ranganath's instructions, removed the obstructions on Wednesday. Ranganath inspected and took action at two locations in Hyderabad.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Two hurt as part of Fatehnagar flyover staircase collapses
HYDERABAD: Two people sustained minor injuries after a portion of the over-three-decade-old pedestrian staircase attached to the Fatehnagar flyover collapsed in Sanathnagar on Monday. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. According to local authorities, the staircase, already in a bad condition, suddenly collapsed, causing panic among passersby. The two pedestrians on the staircase at the time sustained injuries. Upon learning of the incident, Sanathnagar police rushed to the spot. They suspect that absorption of rainwater may have weakened the structure, leading to the collapse. HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath inspected the site on Tuesday morning. Locals informed the commissioner that a fair is held in Sanathnagar every Sunday, drawing hundreds of visitors who use the stairs. Ranganath noted that it was unsafe to continue using such a dilapidated structure and ordered its immediate removal. Following this, HYDRAA personnel used a JCB to demolish the stairs. The commissioner also directed HYDRAA officials to get all such structures across the city assessed by experts from the Civil Engineering department and remove any deemed unsafe.
