February 25, 2025

Transportation and Transformations

On February 20th, Team TUI got to attend Namma Raste which is a transportation convention organized by the BBMP. The BBMP is responsible for the civic and infrastructure needs of Bengaluru. Team TUI has spent weeks working on the display for the exhibit so it was very exciting to see it finally come to life. This display included TUI’s work of transforming under-the-flyovers (under the bridge) and their walkability data in Bengaluru. Next to us were other NGOs with interns also manning the exhibit, like Sensing Local and their GCIL interns! We exchanged banter but also shot each other a thumbs-up every time one of us finished presenting our display. Many schools came to the exhibit. We would ask the kids “Who wants to learn about transportation!” and were met with plenty of questions or blank stares, understandable. During the slow hours, other NGOs would come to inquire about our panel and we would follow them back to theirs. We were one big transportation family. I fangirled when I met the art students in charge of one of my favorite art installations in Bengaluru. Bridge pillars painted like Channapatna dolls, which are wooden painted dolls from Channapatna, Karnataka. I showered them with compliments and they showered me with stickers. I ended the day with an older gentleman talking to me and Amelia for an hour. He started with his frustrations with Bengaluru, then the history of Bengaluru, then a lesson in Kannada, then an intermission to sit down and have a water break, he offered us a muffin from his bag and ended with some folk stories with the message to think outside the box. Lots of people, lots of stories, and lots of fun.

By,
Amy