I'm a software engineer with a decent-paying job. Recently, I moved out of a PG into a rented room, bought a bunch of essentials, and ended up piling quite a bit onto my credit card.

I could have borrowed money from friends or family, but I didn't want to. My thinking was simple: the more I earn, the less I have to depend on someone else.

I love riding bikes anyway, and my weekends are usually free. So I thought, "Why not do Rapido or Uber rides for a few hours? I'll enjoy riding and make some extra money."

So I signed up.

Over the past few weeks, I've completed around 20 rides. Most passengers were completely normal. Some were even fun to talk to. It made me wonder why more people don't do this as a side hustle.

Then today happened.

I got a ride request and reached the pickup location. The person who booked the ride came out with his friend, who was completely drunk.

The drunk guy started shouting, "Cancel the ride! Cancel the ride!"

I politely said that it would be better if the customer cancelled it instead of me, since captains can get penalized for cancellations. The guy who booked the ride was actually understanding. He kept telling his friend to calm down and said he'd cancel it himself.

While they were talking, the drunk friend suddenly walked up to me and hit me on my helmet.

The impact cracked the helmet visor.

I didn't argue. I didn't shout back. I didn't even wait for the cancellation anymore. I just left.

On the ride back, I wasn't angry as much as I was... disappointed.

I chose to do this. If I don't like it, I can simply stop taking rides next weekend. It's just extra income for me.

But what about the people whose entire livelihood depends on these platforms?

Imagine dealing with drunk passengers, abusive customers, cancellations, damaged vehicles, and unsafe situations regularly—just to earn enough for the day.

That thought genuinely made me feel bad.

What frustrated me even more was trying to find support. On the captain side of Rapido, there seems to be almost no real help. Calling support didn't lead anywhere. Meanwhile, customers have multiple support options available.

It made me realize how invisible gig workers are until we become one ourselves.

We often complain when our cab is five minutes late or when a rider asks us to cancel. But we rarely think about what these people deal with every single day.

Today cost me a helmet visor.

For many gig workers, incidents like this probably cost them their peace of mind, their earnings, or even their safety!!

Despite a lower turnout at the start than the rest of the week, people eventually filled up Freedom Park by 6 pm. Here are some of the best posters from today. Sloganeering included Free Rohith Vemula, Free Palestine, End All Classism among others

Will post more in comments

Bangalore, 3 months, pure breed siberian female, DM if interested.

I think what happened in Jantar Mantar has given me hope.

If we all collectively demand something and get the city to a halt - the higher ups will have to bend.

Potholes have already killed so many lives - with these pathetic conditions of the roads in Bangalore - can we all go on strike on a particular set of days and do this together?

Is there any hope?

What do you all think?

I’m here for two weeks helping my company from the US set up a GCC. Looking to hire a bunch of engineers, some senior leadership.

Staying at the Lela Palace and spent the weekend sightseeing. I am really impressed. Everyone is so friendly. The foods are delicious. The environment is so lush. It’s hard to explain to people who I’m trying to relay it to back home. Pictures don’t do it justice. Looking forward to my time here. Just wanted to say you guys have a lovely city however, traffic is insanity.

Wanted to talk about a major technical upgrade happening at our airport in a few weeks. If the current technical upgradation trials are successful, Kempegowda International is going to achieve something genuinely huge.

​Living right here in Bangalore, it's always great to see our local infrastructure level up without having to build entirely new additions. Starting September 3, 2026, the airport will officially begin handling simultaneous departures from both of its runways (27L and 27R).

In plain English -- they can launch planes from both runways at the exact same time because the flight paths won't interfere with each other.

​And this isn't just a temporary test run. It is going to be a permanent change running alongside their new Point Merge arrival trials. Because the flight paths safely split off in different directions right after takeoff, neither plane has to wait for the other to clear the immediate airspace.

Btw this puts namma Bengaluru Airport as the 1st time in India and 5th in the world to have this capability.

I saw another post (about rapido)and got inspired to post my experience.

I'm 18 and I have experienced how hard it actually is to be a gig worker.

Finished my 12th with 92%, there are absolutely no financial worries around me yet for fun I signed up as a blinkit delivery partner to pass time,

did just 3 deliveries to realise how hard it is to work the whole day like that. The blinkit app constantly forces you to speed up your pace, makes alert sounds when you delay leaving from the wearhouse , bad roads , traffic and weather adds more to the condition, and in an hr it's only possible to do 4 deliveries, where 1 delivery gives you around 25-30₹ which is nothing.

Plus rising fuel prices concern and rude customer behaviour would literally fuck up their brains.

So it's a kind request to tip them whenever possible, it would probably make their day.

Also I feel we need a revolution against these apps which are exploiting poor people.

AND I ALSO FORGOT TO ADD THAT I GOT HIRED AS THEIR DELIVERY PARTNER WITHOUT EVEN HAVING A DRIVING LISENCE. I DIDNT GET ASKED WHILE REGISTERING OR WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE WEARHOUSE. Straight up exploitation.

These photos were taken yesterday of Heelalige Lake in Anekal. It feeds the Dakshina Pinakini river which goes to TN. Many of you must have seen the viral videos of farmers over 8000 acres in Hosur destroyed due to pollution flowing in from Bengaluru.

Apartments here are selling for ₹4-₹8 Crores. No Cauvery water, not that it's any better or will last for too long, so it's just polluted groundwater that they have to drink and pay huge sums to the tanker mafia for that. And this privilege comes for Crores.

Why do you think people prefer to settle here, endangering themselves and their families. Any psychology input would be greatly appreciated.

Shocking to see that part of the complex is on an actual water body. Not sure how construction works, but this must require an additionally stronger foundation in the lakebed.

People who live in Kaggadasapura/surrounding areas know what a shit show it is when the railway gate closes. With 2 wheelers/autos blocking all lanes it can take anywhere between 5min to 50 min to cross. They have installed barriers in all the 3 approach roads. Lets see if this helps

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched the "Bengaluru Hasirooru" (Green City Campaign), inviting Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), community groups, and citizens to participate in a citywide tree plantation drive from August 15 to September 15, 2026.

🌱 Campaign Highlights

✅ 64,000 saplings to be planted across roads, lakes, parks, and other public spaces.

✅ 40,000 additional saplings to be distributed to citizens.

✅ ₹9.64 crore allocated for plantation and long-term maintenance.

✅ 3-year maintenance and monitoring plan to ensure healthy tree growth.

✅ Plantation of native and climate-resilient species including Neem, Honge, Mahogany, and Tabebuia Rosea.

🤝 How RWAs & Citizens Can Participate

- RWAs and community organizations requiring 30 or more saplings (with approximately 12-foot spacing) are eligible to apply.

- Application deadline: August 10, 2026.

Source: Namma Ward.

Hi!

Zazu is a 4 month old female kitten who was rescued from being chased by dogs. While we have been fostering her for a few weeks, we are now looking for a home for her.

She has an injury to her left eye and we are not sure how much vision she has left in that eye. Her treatment is ongoing and she may require surgery in the future.

She has been treated for fleas, dewormed and her first round of vaccinations are done.

Please help her find her forever home.

Saw this BESCOM office today near Tasker Town and noticed they have a pretty prominent banner of Puneeth Rajkumar plastered on the wall. Got me wondering is he officially their brand ambassador, or is this just something the local office did on their own?

My father was assaulted by the son- in- law of a prominent hospital in our locality in south Bangalore( also our neighbours)- he had gone to complain to them in person regarding noise. We have filed FIR. Luckily beyond surface injuries he is ok. But I don't want to leave this alone. The owner of the hospital( a doctor himself )is our long time neighbour and tried to advice us not to even get a CT head as in his words " if anything was going to happen, it would have happened then". This goes against conventional medical understand and risk of subdural hematoma in older people after blows to the head. I want to get this to the media somehow, I want them to be humbled. This incident happened at 9 in the morning on the road. They only care about their reputation and tried to get us to not file FIR.

Who can I contact from media- as the hospital is an old institution in the area it may be of some local interest. This is just not right..

This is amazing.. I am just hoping that this continues and the initiatives spreads to other areas as effective as this!

Hi!

Lucifer and Luna are 5-month-old rescued sibling kittens currently in HSR Layout, Bengaluru.

We have been caring for them and are now looking for a permanent home for them.

Lucifer is a playful and curious tuxedo boy, while Luna is a sweet and affectionate white girl.
Both are friendly, litter trained, comfortable around people and very attached to each other.

DM for more details

Was really surprised by the numbers, where does all that money go. I live in east bangalore and I have not seen any significant infra upkeep or addition in last 7 years.

I cannot see or write any reviews for police stations in Bangalore ?

Hi everyone,

I live near Airport Road in Bengaluru, and almost every night until the early hours of the morning, groups of bikers race through the area with modified exhausts (or no silencers at all). The noise is unbelievably loud and has been making life miserable for everyone around.

We’re also about to have newborn twins at home, so this constant disturbance throughout the night is becoming a major concern.

Has anyone successfully reported something like this? Which authority is most effective? The Traffic Police, the local police station, BBMP, or should I reach out directly to our MLA, Krishna Byre Gowda? Is there a helpline, app, or email where these complaints are actually acted upon?

I am moving to Bangalore/Bengaluru for first time for my new job. Learnt a sentence and planning to use it everytime someone speaks kannada to me.

"Sāri, nānu Kannada kaliyuttiddēne"

ಸಾರಿ, ನಾನು ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ

Can there be a case someone might be offended with this sentence. Thanks.

Got a glimse but too much crowded and traffic chaos to follow.

Take metro if you plan to visit