THE ROTATOR - Issue 35

Happy reading!
Your Rotator Team 2025–26

Celebrating Womanhood Beyond Stereotypes

The Department of Sociology, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Bangalore, celebrated International Women’s Day with an inspiring session titled
Beyond Binaries: Redefining Womanhood”featuring Dr. Anita Prasad, a technologist, institution builder, and TED-x speaker.
Dr. Anita Prasad engaged the audience in a thought-provoking conversation about challenging traditional gender norms and redefining womanhood in contemporary society.
The program received enthusiastic feedback, sparking discussions on breaking societal binaries and empowering women beyond stereotypes.
-Rtn. Kalyani Talukder

A New Chapter in Youth Service: Interact at TISB

The youth services committee has initiated our 14th Interact Club in The International School Bangalore (TISB) on the 18th of February. The President of the new club is Aston Castelino (grade 11), VP is Vinisha Prashant Kakkad (grade 11), Secretary is Anushka Amitabh Kundan (grade 11), Directors of leadership development: Sashwath Sundararajan (grade 11), Director of International Services: Sohyeon Kim (grade 9), Director of Finances : Aarav Jain (grade 11), Director of Community Services: Arav Bansal (grade 11), Direct of club Services: Ishan Chowdhri (grade 11).
Rtr. Akila, the president of Rotaract club of Bangalore was a part of the installation and the Rotaract Club of Bangalore will be mentoring this new interact club, along with Rtn. Dr. Andrea Castelino, who has been instrumental in the formation of this club and was present for the installation as well.
-Rtn. Abhijith Shankar

HPV Uncovered: Prevention and Protection

The Rotary Club Of Bangalore’s ShieldHer program recently marked a milestone with its 58th session at JSS University, Noida, extending cervical cancer prevention efforts beyond Karnataka. This collaborative initiative with the Karnataka State Chapter of the Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India engaged 95 participants, including 30 boys, 45 girls, and 20 faculty members.
Rtn. Dr. Sowmya P. R. led the session, sharing insights from 57 previous awareness sessions and her 18 years of research experience. The interactive talk emphasized HPV vaccination, regular screening, and early detection in preventing cervical cancer.
Participants discussed screening disparities, national cancer registry reporting, and vaccination benefits. Male staff inquired about screening options for spouses and the Government of India’s HPV vaccination rollout for 14-year-old girls.
The session underscored ShieldHer’s commitment to evidence-based awareness and collective action against cervical cancer. We thank Dr. T. K. Praveen, Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy, for his support.
-Rtn. Dr. Sowmya P. R. & Rtn. Dr. Nita Roy

Sustainable Transport Solutions for Bengaluru: Need for a Systems Approach

Bengaluru, India’s technology capital, is also a city struggling under the weight of its own mobility crisis. Congested roads, fragmented transport systems, and inequitable access have created a pressing need for sustainable solutions. Prof. Ashish Verma of the Indian Institute of Science while addressing the Rtns at RCB this Monday outlined a comprehensive framework that blends short-term interventions with long-term structural reforms. His vision emphasises not just infrastructure, but also behavioural change, inclusivity, and resilience.
Homogenous Movement of Traffic
One of the foremost challenges in Bengaluru is the chaotic mix of vehicles, two-wheelers, cars, buses, and autos competing for limited road space. To achieve homogenous traffic flow, lane discipline must be enforced, with designated corridors for buses and non-motorised transport. Intelligent traffic management systems can help reduce bottlenecks by channelling vehicles into smoother streams, minimising abrupt lane changes and erratic driving patterns.
Educating People for Behavioural Change
Infrastructure alone cannot solve Bengaluru’s transport woes. A cultural shift in driving behaviour is essential. Public campaigns, school-level education, and
workplace sensitisation programmes can instil respect for traffic rules, pedestrians, and cyclists, ProfVerma insisted.
Equitable Access Across Social and Economic Strata
He also emphasised that transport systems must serve all citizens, not just the affluent. Last-mile connectivity can ensure inclusivity. Special attention should be given to marginalised groups, daily wage workers, senior citizens, and differently-abled individuals by designing barrier-free stations, accessible pavements, and safe pedestrian crossings, he pointed out.
Gender Balance in Road Usage
Mr Verma noted that women often face safety concerns in public transport. Gender-sensitive planning must include, among other things, female participation in the transport workforce to create a more balanced ecosystem.
Pedestrian-CentricPIanning
Bengaluru’s streets often neglect pedestrians, forcing them into unsafe conditions. Wider footpaths, shaded walkways, pedestrian signals, and safe crossings must be prioritised. A walkable city reduces dependence on motorized transport, improves public health, and enhances urban liveability.
Multimodal Transport System
No single mode can meet Bengaluru’s mobility needs. Integration of buses, metro, suburban rail, and non-motorised transport is crucial. A unified ticketing system and synchronised schedules can make transfers seamless. Park-and-ride facilities at metro stations can encourage commuters to leave private vehicles behind, the transportation expert suggested.

Junction Improvement and Signal Optimisation
Traffic junctions are Bengaluru’s biggest choke points. Redesigning intersections with roundabouts, flyovers, or signal-free corridors can ease congestion. Smart traffic signals, powered by AI and real-time data, can dynamically adjust timings to reduce waiting periods and emissions.
Integrated M RTS Network: Radial and Circular Lines
Prof. Verma emphasises the need for a spider-web-like network radial lines connecting the City centre to suburbs, complemented by circular lines that allow lateral movement. This reduces dependence on central hubs and distributes traffic more evenly. Such a network mirrors successful models in Tokyo and Paris, ensuring resilience and efficiency.
Micro-Environment and Systems Approach
Transport plann ing cannot be isolated from the city’s micro- environment. Air quality, noise pollution, and urban heat islands must be factored into design. Green buffers along roads, electric buses, and cycling tracks contribute to healthier surroundings. A systems approach where governance, technology, and citizen participation converge ensures that solutions are not piecemeal but holistic.
Disaster-Resilient Transportation
prof. Verma insisted that Bengaluru must prepare for climate-induced disruptions such as flooding. Elevated metro lines, waterproofed electrical systems, and emergency evacuation routes can make transport infrastructure disaster-resilient. This aligns with global best practices in cities vulnerable to climate change.
Governance and Climate Change
Strong governance is the backbone of sustainable transport. Coordination between municipal bodies, state agencies, and private operators is essential. Policies must incentivise low-carbon mobility—electric vehicles, renewable-powered metro systems, and congestion pricing. Transport planning must be integrated into Bengaluru’s climate action strategy, reducing emissions while improving accessibility and alignment with IJN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).
Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions
Short-Term: Public awareness campaigns, junction redesign, Signal optimisation, bus lane enforcement, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Long-Term: Integrated MRTS spider-web network, multimodal ticketing, circular and radial metro lines, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and governance reforms.
He said Bengaluru’s transport future depends on a paradigm shift from fragmented, car-centric planning to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient systems. Prof. Ashish Verma’s framework offers a roadmap that blends behavioural change, equitable access, multimodal integration, a nd cli mate-conscious governa nce.