CITIZEN JOURNALISM

The only sense that I could make of the oppressive heat in Mumbai this year, was that maybe the Earth was running a fever. What would you do if someone in your family had a fever? But of course, heatwaves are not the same, they’re in fact, much worse. Science based evidence foresees many more extreme weather events (EWE) like heatwaves. EWEs are triggered by climate change which has been brought on by anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, overconsumption and pollution.  The heatwave that scorched through different parts of India this year was recorded as having some of the worst…

Water shortages in the Vyasarpadi neighbourhood of North Chennai have been a persistent issue. Most of the housing board settlements lack piped water connections. Residents must collect water from communal taps in the locality or from water tankers that periodically visit. Typically, it is the women who bear the responsibility of transporting the water to their homes. They are forced to carry many loads of water up many flights of stairs, sometimes having to carry it up to the 13th floor of their buildings. Read more: Chennai’s water woes worsen as reservoirs dry up and groundwater levels decline This strenuous…

Part 1 in this two-part series explored what inspired me to start gardening on my rooftop and my journey from being a consumer to becoming an avid terrace gardener. It also covered the basics for getting started with gardening. In Part 2, I will outline a detailed guide about Square Foot Gardening. The method Square Foot Gardening is a method where you divide your growing space into blocks of 1 square feet  Divide your space: In square foot gardening, you divide your growing space into 1-square-foot blocks. Each block is dedicated to a specific crop Plant density: Depending on the…

(This article is part 1 of a two part series) I was in Rajasthan when I first started gardening. It was with Shankar Singh—co-founder of the rights- based organisation Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)—that I started my gardening journey. It was in October 2019, before the onset of winter, that we decided we needed a kitchen garden and what better thing to grow than green peas. We set out to dig the soil to a foot and a half, remove the stones and sieve it, mix in some vermicompost and hybrid seeds that we got from the nearest seed retailer.…

Over nine months, we at Walking Project in Mumbai hosted 25 community walks across various neighbourhoods in the city. In groups of 10–15 people, walking across different neighbourhoods, we discussed walkability, educated citizens about the guidelines which dictate the design of walking spaces nationwide, and advocated for urban planning that prioritises walking, among other topics. One of the key highlights of this initiative was the ranking system we developed for the routes we walked. During each walk, we asked participants to rate their route based on specific walkability criteria. This allowed us to create a ranking of the best and…

Anita Devi lives in Nand Nagri, a densely populated area in north east Delhi, conspicuous by its narrow lanes, lack of open spaces and congested atmosphere. About 20 odd kilometres further north stands the huge Bhalswa landfill, where Shaira Bano earns her living as a waste picker, the ‘koode ka pahad’ (mountain of trash) looming large and leaving an imprint on her daily life, as on the lives of so many other women. Anita and Shaira — two women, separated by the distinct urban landscapes they inhabit and the circumstances of their lives, but nevertheless united by one thing: bearing…

Part 1 of the two-part series outlined how Bengaluru is leading in ESG practices and India’s commitment to its compliance. Part 2 looks at the current situation of ESG implementation, its adoption in education and governance, and future outlook. Current situation Although still in its early stages, the adoption of environmental initiatives and social programmes by companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Asian Paints is gaining traction. Social initiatives: Organisations like the Environment Support Group (ESG) work on social justice and environmental issues, advocating for sustainable practices and community well-being. ESG in governance and education: The Indian Institute of…

(This article is part 1 of a two-part series) Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is an investing principle that centres on environmental and social issues as well as corporate governance. This article explains what ESG compliance entails and how it is being adopted in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Bengaluru leads in ESG As of June 2023, Bengaluru has the highest percentage of green-compliant office buildings among all Indian cities, with almost 30% of the stock across the country. Green roofs, rain water harvesting, energy efficiency, incorporating natural elements like sunlight, ventilation etc. are features of green compliant offices. ESG compliance…

Urban India at its lower end of the economic spectrum is changing fast. As cities develop and become important centres of trade and services, the migrant workers form a crucial part of this growth. In most cities today, a bulk of the critical support jobs are done by migrant workers, often hailing from states such as Orissa, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal. Through my interactions with guest workers from various parts of India, I have observed an evolving workforce with aspirations for better job opportunities, higher education for their children, and a desire to enhance their skills. Here are some…

For years, long-time residents of Chennai, who bought plots in a suburban township in Tharapakkam, had to endure many hardships before they could rightfully claim their land. However, they did not give up. And now, there is a glimmer of hope as the persistence of the landowners has borne fruit. The local panchayat has also agreed to extend support, so that they can build their dream homes. In 2006, EVP Housing Pvt Ltd released colour advertisements in newspapers and distributed flyers offering plots for sale in Tharapakkam. These plots would form a township known as the EVP Township, situated five…