Resident welfare associations can take a leaf out of the book of the proactive HBR Welfare Association.
Apalled by the apathy towards the HBR Layout (a BDA layout) which falls under the Byatarayanpura zone, the members of the Association are determined to seek some kind of redressal and even revenge through their votes in the coming elections.
Software engineers, entrepreneurs, doctors and engineers figure among the professionals who own houses in this area marked by poor basic facilities.
They shot off many letters to officials and politicians to improve their area but in vain. Senior citizen Panduranga Pai relentlessly despatched 200 letters, including a few to former chief ministers.  
Determined that a non-performer should not win in their area, the association members are keen that all its residents cast their vote.
When the first voters’ list was released, they realised many names in their area were left out.
“We learnt the names of people who have been vocal  against the poor facilities in the area like Pai (who has lived here for 15 years) were missing from the list,” said Iqbal Ahmed, CEO of Anthrax Technologies Ltd. The association made a list of the people who were left out, photocopied forms and went to the concerned houses and made them fill it up and submit it.
“Names of 1,600 people residing in the first and second block of HBR Layout now figure in the final voters list,” said the Association President Sridhar.
Own candidate
“We are even thinking of having a candidate of our own so that something can be done to improve our lives,” adds another  member Imthiyas Ahmed.