Good morning, Bengaluru ☀️
Long before Bengaluru became known for software, it was building aeroplanes. Hindustan Aircraft Limited was established here in 1940, after Mysore’s Maharaja contributed 700 acres of land and ₹25 lakh to the venture. That company eventually became HAL. Bengaluru’s obsession with complicated engineering did not begin with startups.
☕ Bengaluru Trivia
Which Bengaluru institution was established in 1909 after Mysore State provided 371 acres and 16 guntas of land?
Answer at the end.
The Big Bengaluru Update
The warning is clear. The exact impact isn’t yet.
Image Source - AI
Karnataka has received 10 mm of rain this September against a normal 51 mm, an 81% deficit. Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said more than 200 of 239 taluks face drought conditions; 101 are already declared drought-hit and 25 more may be added.
Peak electricity demand crossed 19,000 MW last week, with the state buying power at roughly ₹13 per unit during evening peaks. The legislature will discuss the drought during its September 21–23 special session.
For Bengaluru, there is no announced citywide water-rationing or power-cut timetable yet. Conserve water and follow official utility alerts over forwarded predictions. Read the September 16 update
Startup Watch
Image Source - AI
Bengaluru-and-San Francisco-headquartered Flam has raised $40 million in Series B funding, led by QED Investors, taking total funding to $62 million.
Founded in 2021 by Shourya Agarwal, Malhar Patil and Amit Gaiki, Flam says it added 100+ enterprise customers in six quarters. The money will go into AI research, product development and international enterprise sales around interactive video, 3D and visual-agent products. Read the funding story
Bengaluru Internet
He waited. Then he fixed it himself.
Image Source - AI
BharatAgri founder Siddharth Dialani says the Koramangala footpath stayed broken for years despite complaints to BBMP, emails to GBA, a ticket and WhatsApp follow-ups.
He eventually spent ₹2,700 on labour and cement to build a ramp, saying it would help wheelchair users and parents with strollers. The post went viral. Nice repair, uncomfortable question: why did basic pedestrian infrastructure need “founder mode”? See the before-and-after story
One Hidden Recommendation
Indian Cartoon Gallery - near Trinity
Image Source - AI
Indian Cartoon Gallery Address: Midford House, Midford Garden Road, No. 1 Midford garden, Craig Park Layout, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India
Senior Bengaluru cartoonist L. N. Rao’s exhibition runs until September 19. It is a small space, which is the appeal: sharp cartoons and social observation without losing half your day.
It’s also under 500 metres from Trinity Metro. Current listings show weekday hours around 10 am–6 pm, so Thursday or Friday is the safer bet to catch this show before it closes. (TwStalker) See the current exhibition update
Weekend Preview
Leading Climate Action from the Ground Up: Thu, Sep 17 | 6:30–8 pm | Bangalore International Centre, Domlur | Free
A Western Ghats climate conversation with conservationists and local voices. (Bangalore International Centre)Swar, Soch, Laya: Fri, Sep 18 | 7–8:30 pm | Bangalore International Centre, Domlur | Free
Hindustani vocals by A. Mandakini with tabla by Kaustuv Swain. (Bangalore International Centre)Dekh Behen Part Two: Sat, Sep 19 | 3:30 pm | Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar | ₹400
A Hindi-English comedy-drama about female friendship and wedding chaos. (BookMyShow)Sri Ganesha Pancharathna Aradhane: Sun, Sep 20 | 8:30 am | APS College Grounds, Basavanagudi
Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava expects 10,000+ devotees for collective chanting; registration is online. (Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava)
Your Turn, Bengaluru
What’s one Bengaluru place you’ll defend forever?
Hit reply with just the name.
See you in the next kaapi. Same city, slightly better plans.
Trivia answer: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), formally established on May 27, 1909. (Indian Institute of Science) Read IISc’s official history