Explainers | Citizen Matters

Why ‘family’ is key to detection and prevention of diabetes, the urban epidemic

November 14, 2018 M Balasubramanyam

With an estimated 73 million adult patients, India faces a diabetes epidemic, with urban centres registering a significantly higher prevalence of cases. On this World Diabetes Day, an expert explains the rationale behind this (and next) year’s theme: Family.

What will it take for our city bus systems to keep fares low and still curtail losses?

November 13, 2018 Arjun Rajan

Most public bus units in our cities have run into huge losses. Yet, fare increase would make buses unaffordable for the ones who need them the most. Can the state step in and find a way for them to be accessible as well as economically viable?

Cyber crime: A guide to understanding, prevention and redress

November 8, 2018 Harsha Raj Gatty

From ministers and celebrities to trusting seniors, every category of citizen seems to have fallen prey to online fraudsters and cyber criminals, and with increasing regularity of late . How do these people con you and what can you do to prevent yourself from being the next in a long line of victims?

Explained: How can dengue deaths be prevented?

October 30, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

How do you know if your fever is dengue? What are the different types and is one more dangerous than the other? Can dengue fatalities be prevented? Can we immunise against the disease? This will answer most of your questions about the dreaded disease.

How to identify and help children from troubled families

October 24, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Alcoholism or substance abuse and domestic violence are the bane of many an urban household today, and not necessarily only among the economically weaker sections. How do children from these families cope and how can we help them?

Everything you need to know about Zika fever in India

October 13, 2018 Shree D N

It has symptoms similar to Chikungunya and Dengue, but is not deadly. But it can hit you bad and have scary outcomes, especially in certain conditions. More about the Zika virus and how to stay protected, as India experiences one of its worst outbreaks ever.

Common mental ailments: Why it is important to seek specialised help

October 10, 2018 Deepa Vaishnavi V M

20% of our population suffer from common mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar and the like. Renowned consultant psychiatrist Dr S Kalyanasundram sheds light on all that you need to know if you are dealing with mental health issues — either yourself or in someone close to you.

India declared polio-free in 2014; why, then, is the polio vaccine hitting headlines again?

October 8, 2018 Shree D N

A type of polio virus, supposedly eradicated globally, has been found in stool samples of children in UP; batches of oral polio vaccine manufactured by a company are also found contaminated. Is polio vaccination safe for your child? Is India’s polio-free status at risk? All you need to know about the polio scare making news right now.

Why are transport workers opposing the new Motor Vehicles bill?

September 5, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

Despite several voices in favour of the proposed Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, its passage remains stalled in the Rajya Sabha. What’s more, even transport unions and workers seem deeply opposed to it in principle. A look at the contentious provisions that have met with objection.

A simple diagram could help your city manage water better. Here’s how!

September 4, 2018 Sonali Anusree Patro

Where does the water in your home come from? How much of it is accounted for? What percentage of waste water in your city is reused? Bengaluru think tank CSTEP creates a water flow diagram for the city and shows how it can be used to identify gaps in availability and reuse, and thus solve the water crisis in our cities.

Forget battle between Delhi CM and governor; here’s the real issue with CCTV cameras

August 9, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Arvind Kejriwal wants CCTVs around the capital. LG Anil Baijal imposes numerous conditions and constraints. That has been the dominant narrative in this controversy so far. But what exactly can these cameras achieve for a city and where lie the pitfalls?

Will the rise in Minimum Support Prices make the food on your table more expensive?

August 1, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

There are several reasons why the MSP has little to do with how much you pay for the food items you consume. Here’s a primer for the urban citizen, who invariably feels jittery when the government announces a rise in support prices for the farmer.