Urban development Vs environmental responsibility: Striking a balance Sir, As cities expand to accommodate growing populations and economic activities, urban development often requires clearing land, frequently at the cost of cutting down trees. These trees, vital for maintaining ecological balance, become casualties in the race for infrastructure. However, if city planners implement compensatory afforestation, such…

Sir, The news item published in Star of Mysore dated Apr. 13 about the merciless mowing down of more than three dozen fully grown avenue trees by the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) for widening Hyder Ali Road between Nexus Mall and the SP Office — in connivance with the Forest Department — is nothing short…

Sir, I found the article on bees in Star of Mysore dated Apr. 12, fascinating and thought-provoking. It is in our own best interest to protect honey bees, as they are responsible for pollinating more than 30 percent of the food crops we rely on — including fruits, vegetables and nuts. As Albert Einstein famously…

A call for immediate action Sir, Vijayanagar 4th Stage in Mysuru, once known for its peaceful residential charm, and NPS School Road, a stroller’s paradise, are now battling an alarming issue — unchecked garbage accumulation, dysfunctional street lights and vacant sites turned into forest-like land. Piles of waste lying unattended across the locality have not…

Sir, This refers to the news item titled “Green carnage: 45 heritage trees felled” in yesterday’s Star of Mysore on Page-1. Felling more than 40 lush green, giant trees overnight in a clandestine operation, while the citizens were asleep is a heinous crime against the city residents and environment.  This crime was a joint operation…

Sir, I write this to caution the general public and the Police Department about a fraudulent modus operandi adopted by unauthorised persons (fraudsters). They are sending old traffic violation records — apparently sourced from the Vaahan website — and asking recipients to click a link for easy verification and payment. The danger lies in not…

Sir, It has been more than 6 months since the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) contractor botched up the UGD chamber near our house. Despite multiple complaints and visits to the MCC office, nobody has been able to resolve the issue resulting in severe inconvenience to the residents. Residents are suffering as there is no drainage…

Sir, This refers to the article titled “God Sees the Truth, But Waits!” At last, but swiftly, our beloved doctor and columnist, Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem, has expressed in his column (Star of Mysore dated Apr. 6, 2025) the heartfelt, tragic, unfortunate and unbelievable incident involving Suresh — who was arrested and kept in jail…

Sir, The heritage structure of the Old Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) Office now stands eerily silent. Once alive with activity, where vehicles jostled for parking and uniformed personnel kept vigil, the compound is today a deserted expanse echoing with barks instead of bureaucratic bustle. Where security forces once stood guard, a pack of stray dogs now…

Sir, To help Mysuru reclaim its status as the Cleanest City in India, the following actionable suggestions are proposed for the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC): Garbage collection and management Scheduled collection: Pourakarmikas should complete sweeping before 10 am and collect garbage between 10 am and 1 pm, ensuring a predictable and consistent routine. Online registration:…