CITIZEN JOURNALISM

"India is a land of villages" - is an oft repeated statement. But how many of us living in cities can claim to know about our village life and its culture. It was to address this issue that Sri Kumaran Children's Home organised a Gramothsava at their Mallasandra Campus on November 12th to celebrate Children's day in a unique manner. Images from Gramothsava at Sri Kumaran Childrens Home. Pic: Sridhar.C.R The entire campus looked like a big village fair with visitors treated to various facets of the tradition and culture of village life that is still prevalent in Karnataka. Visitors…

As a visitor to Bangalore, I do not usually get hit by any disturbing event.  In fact, my past visits have been pleasant.  The purpose of my visits has been merely to visit family and friends. This time, however the black cloud (yeah, the one that randomly victimises you or someone you know) found me within minutes of ending a very comfortable train ride -- executive class on the Shatabdi from Chennai, November 23rd.  Illustration: Comaravalli Sridhar Radhakrishnan. On exiting the Cantonment station about 10:15p.m. I rang my cousin who was to pick me up, then my mobile went in…

It is a well known fact that Bangalore which was a city with many lakes has been driven to a state of horror with most of its lakes encroached and depleted.Another lake which is facing a near death crisis is the Dodda Nagamangala Lake, also known as the Rayasandra Lake in the Dodda Nagamangala region near Electronic city. This lake is about 28 acres in size and falls under survey number 64 and is under the Konappa Agrahara Gram Panchayath. The lovely Dodda Nagamangala Lake last year. Pic: Neethu Peter We have witnessed a large number of birds, even migratory…

The papers reported that all fireworks and crackers activities should cease between 10 pm and 6 am. KSPCB and the police were supposed to be doing rounds and enforcing the curfew. It's 11 pm in the night, and near Nagarbhavi, some random crackers keep going off at regular intervals. Dealing with continuous fireworks is one thing, but sudden bursts at random points in time is too much to deal with.The dogs, not accustomed to rackets other than their own, start howling everytime one goes off. Aged parents at home, struggling with flu-like symptoms thanks to the weather, exacerbated by the…

Saving fuel is necessary not only to save money but to reduce pollution. Here are few important tips to see how we can save fuel and be more happier as we reduce our spending and remain calm while driving. 1. Fuel at night or early morning: This is a phenomenon we often do not realise. We refuel petrol/diesel when the tank gets to the reserve. Oil expands with the rise in temperature. This expansion causes lesser energy generation, if fueled in hot time of the day. The fuel will burn faster than what you imagine. Best time to fuel the…

Visitors to the lotus pond at Lalbagh witness a rather sorry picture, where all patches of clear water are teeming with fish close to the surface, mouths open and gulping what they can. While the reason for this is unclear, it is apparent that the pond is suffering from excessive vegetation. Lotus, hydrangea and other aquatic plants have taken over far too much of the pond, leaving precious little breathing space for the fish. This is also in stark contrast to the much healthier lake on the other side of the bridge that that separates the two, where cormorants were…

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder in which there is a reduction in the rate of production of haemoglobin and thus causing anemia. Treatment for Thalassemia Major involves regular blood transfusions. Some patients may require a transfusion every three weeks and treatment is often a painful process. With proper care and treatment, a person with thalassemia can live near normal life. However, due to lack of systematic treatment, counseling and care, most children with thalassemia do not live to celebrate their 18th birthday in our country. Over 2.5 crore people in India have the genetic trait for thalassemia. People with…

Shikshana, a non-profit organisation based out of Bangalore, is working towards improving the quality of education in government primary schools by participatory intervention. The representatives talk to the school administration, teachers and students about their opinion on how to make the learning effective. In some schools students are encouraged to perform through incentives. File pic: Padmalatha Ravi This approach is completely alien in a setting where schemes are made at the power centers and the benefits trickle down. ‘I've been working for twenty two years, and this is the first time someone has come asking for what I think', remarks…

First it was Aindrita Ray, who was crying on television accusing a veteran director of slapping her and touching her inappropriately. Then it was a seasoned and veteran actress Ramya, weeping on small screen to get her money from a producer who had not paid her dues. Then it was another super actress, Pooja Gandhi who threatened to take a producer to court and complained about harassment and threats to her life from another person in the industry. And more recently Nikitha Thukral, although was not seen crying in public, must have shed plenty of tears in private after receiving…

At Kalyana Mantapas and community halls around the city, Bengalis concluded Durga Puja celebrations on Oct 6th, Bijoya Dashami. A Brookefields event on Oct 5th attracted around 300-400 people. It was organised by the East Bangalore Cultural Association. Aarati preparations at the Brookefields event Oct 3rd. Pic: Rudreshwar SenAshtami, Oct 4th at Jayamahal. Pic: Rudreshwar SenAt the Brookefields event on Dashami. Pic: Rudreshwar SenBrookefields Idol. Pic: Rudreshwar SenNilanjana and Alakananda, Whitefield area Bengalis, after Sindoor Khela at Brookfields on Oct 6th. Pic: Rudreshwar SenSindoor Khela at Brookefields, near Whitfield. Pic: Rudreshwar SenThese saris are particularly meant for this occasion. Pic:…