Articles by Anagha Sawant

According to some citizens, the biodiversity in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is under threat as the government officials are turning a blind eye to the violations happening in daylight. With an aim to raise a voice against the destruction of holding ponds area, wetlands and mangroves in MMR, environmentalists have come together for #MumBiodiversityBacho campaign started by NatConnect Foundation. Through the campaign, they plan to amplify their voice against the destruction of the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) areas including in Panje, NRI Complex amongst others. The campaign appeals to the environment ministry and other authorities involved, to take steps to…

Many employers have shifted to a 'work from home' model since last year's lockdown. This has affected the livelihoods of Mumbai's famous dabbawalas who deliver packed food to office-goers around town. But that has not stopped them from helping the needy. Some of the dabbawalas provide food to the relatives of hospitalized patients in various state-run and civic-run hospitals of Mumbai. Such generosity is exhibited despite many dabbawalas being unable to meet their monthly needs. They seek relief from various organisations to meet the basic needs of their families. “Since last year because of the lockdown, we have been struggling…

To reduce the challenges faced by governments and hospital managements in providing oxygen facilities for patients, a 10-member team of students and research staff members of IIT Bombay’s Tata Centre for Technology and Design, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Nex Robotics, a start-up by the alumni of the institute, have designed 'reBreather', a semi-closed circular breathing system that would allow patients to breathe in unused exhaled oxygen which has been filtered to remove carbon dioxide. Looking at the shortage of medical-grade oxygen supply and high demands across India, the team decided to work on this design to bring out possible…

Booking a slot on the CoWin app is like participating in a lucky draw. The online slots get taken in seconds. This poses a challenge for people who do not have access to technology and/or don’t know how to check social media for the booking timings. Every day after 6 pm, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), tweets on its Twitter handle (@mybmc) the approximate time of the slots to be opened for next day’s appointment. But not even digitally savvy people manage to book appointments. “I have been trying to get the first dose appointment slots for my mom and…