Revathi Siva Kumar | | Citizen Matters

Diwali fire crackers: To burst or not to burst?

November 3, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Diwali is just days away. And if you are still wondering how to celebrate with fireworks as a responsible citizen, in compliance with the recent court ruling, here are things that you must know.

When 14.5 lakh gathered in Tirunelveli for a holy dip…

November 2, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The Thamirabarani Mahapushkar in Tirunelveli town, Tamil Nadu, attracted large crowds, but how prepared was the town? A first-person account

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.

Smart City or smart ideas: Where does Bhubaneswar stand today?

September 26, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Bhubaneswar was not just the government’s first choice for its Smart Cities Mission, but has also featured in the list of top 20 global smart cities. But it has seen a number of setbacks recently. On safety, health, mobility, employment, how ‘smart’ is Bhubaneswar?

Five killer diseases that stalk you in the city… and how you can keep them at bay

August 30, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

What are the illnesses that take the highest toll of lives in our cities? What causes them? Take a look at findings from the latest trends in urban health and disease burden and do your best to keep yourself in good health.

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.

Mumbai monsoons: Are citizens passing up a chance to solve the flooding issue?

July 25, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Heard of Advanced Locality Management (ALM) in Mumbai? It is a programme under which citizens of a locality can get involved and work with the municipality to ensure resolution of civic issues. Can ALMs not work towards solving the city’s annual monsoon misery, one locality at a time?

Where and how to file a complaint against online trolling

July 17, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

They spare no one — whether it’s an union minister or you! A quick look at how to get the offender booked under law, if you have been a victim of online harrassment, intimidation or abuse.

Where have all the girls gone?

July 10, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

It sounds counter-intuitive but do you know that the overall child sex ratio in the 0-6 years group in India is actually pulled down by the alarming ratio in cities? That this ratio is actually lower among mothers with more than 10 years of education? A look at the reasons behind the gender imbalance in urban India.

Can waterways provide the key to developing Kochi?

June 29, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Upgrading the port city’s western waterways and canals can have a positive impact on not just transportation, but also the city’s economics and culture, finds new research at ICRIER. But what are the challenges to look out for?

Fast, furious, unethical: social media is the emotional remote control for electioneering

June 6, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Along with tried and tested traditional methods, modern technology is influencing voters like never before, to change the face of politics in India.

Problem is in the air: top five polluted Indian cities hold a mirror

May 28, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The WHO database on the most globally polluted cities in 2016 shows that 14 out of the top 15 are Indian. What is the reason for the alarming contamination? Data for the top five polluted cities can give some insights.

Nipah virus: How to avoid infection and fever

May 23, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Bats are being culled, every case of fever is scrutinised carefully. But the nation has one lab which certifies the cases of Nipah. What does a citizen need to know about Nipah?

Three ways in which the new Motor Vehicles law could make our roads safer

April 25, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016, if enacted into law, could have helped to reduce road accidents. But it remains a casualty itself of an indefinitely adjourned Parliament.

Want to make your city safer? Don’t be a passive bystander!

April 4, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

What do you do when you see an accident victim on the street, unconscious and bleeding? Or when the young girl opposite you in the bus is being evidently harassed? Can you, as a bystander, intervene and help?

Mumbai farmers have gone back, but can our cities afford to forget them?

March 14, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Roses, food and water for protesting farmers are all fine, but the nation’s policy makers and city residents must not forget what led to the rally. Time to realize that without a strong rural Bharat, urban India is doomed.

Delhi divided: Will new parking management plan reduce traffic congestion?

March 12, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Park your car in front of your home and pay. Pay more during peak hours, and many other rules. Some decry it as plain unfair, others feel it’s the only solution to traffic and pollution. Ironically, many Delhiites are not even aware that this is in force!

In Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Bengaluru, what will it take to green our marathons?

February 28, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Running events in our major cities bring together 11000 to 45000 runners annually. In most races, they are given single-use plastic water bottles, or packaged food and drinks. That’s a lot of waste! Now, a Bengaluru runner has started a campaign to change that.

Delhi hosts India’s first radio festival

February 16, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The festival brought together experts from various tiers of the radio world and discussed diverse topics through panel discussions, comic shows, musical programmes and story sessions.