CITIZEN JOURNALISM

Across urban India, environmental awareness is increasing, and one of the ways people practise their commitment to minimise their environmental footprint is by reducing their plastic waste. In restaurants, where the sale of plastic bottles and free “filtered water” are both ubiquitous, the decision regarding which water to consume contributes to the growing plastic waste among citizens. Opting for filtered water instead of bottled water, which is served free of cost, seems like a win-win choice that is environmentally conscious and safe. However, the actual safety of this free filtered water remains a question. To answer this, Ashoka Trust for…

Nestled within the sprawling 350-acre built-up township of Hiranandani Estate lies a 2.46-hectare (approximately six acres) gem. The Kavesar Lake, the last remaining “natural” wetland in Thane, is an ancient freshwater body formed naturally due to surface undulations and lies near a saltwater creek.   A single visit to Kavesar Lake is enough to leave one mesmerised by its natural beauty, biodiversity and inexplicable positive energy which soothes the body, calms the mind and uplifts the soul. The villagers who have lived in its vicinity for generations have revered the Kavesar Lake habitat as a ‘Devrai’ (sacred grove). The lake is…

In the informal settlement of Seemapuri in Delhi, Rihanna sees her mother leave for work early every morning, come back around noon to make and serve food for the family, and then go back to work till 4 pm. “My mother is a waste segregator,” explains Rihanna, and this is her daily routine, come rain, hail or the gruelling sun of a Delhi summer. Many women in Seemapuri are engaged in waste work and have a similar routine.  Settlements such as Seemapuri often lack essentials such as water, electricity, and proper sewerage systems. Inside homes, the kitchen is typically the…

In the heart of Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), a quiet literary movement is taking shape. The Bookworms Club, initiated by the Federation of OMR Residents’ Associations (FOMRRA), has quickly established itself as a hub for book lovers seeking meaningful discussions, book exchanges, and opportunities to engage with local authors. Still in its early stages, the club aims to nurture a disciplined reading culture and help motivate members to reach their reading goals. What began as a gathering of book lovers has now grown into a community dedicated to reducing waste by ensuring books are reused rather than discarded.    Building reading habits …

India is urbanising at a fast pace. According to the Handbook on Urban Statistics by the National Institute of Urban Affairs, the urban population is projected to grow from 31.1% (377 million) in 2011 to nearly 39.6% (600 million) by 2036. The increase in urban population will put additional pressure on existing infrastructure and services, while also leading to the emergence of new towns. Towns and cities of India are grappling with delivering basic urban services and developing urban infrastructure.  A World Bank report (2022) estimates that India needs $55 billion annually for a period of 15 years from the…

The Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) sits at the nexus of policy and compassion, charged with enforcing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act—including its Dog Breeding and Marketing  Rules 2017(DBM) and Pet Shop Rules 2023—and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023. Yet, despite clear legislation, implementation remains uneven. The result is illegal breeding and buying, increased cruelty and a huge impact on not only the state exchequer but also rescuers and shelter finances. Citizens, veterinarians, breeders, kennel clubs, and even government agencies often overlook or misunderstand these regulations, rendering them toothless. Here’s why active outreach, education and…

Karnataka has long worn its forests as a crown, steeped in folklore, sanctified in song, and stitched into its cultural identity. None captured this reverence better than cultural icon and cinema legend Dr Rajkumar, whose evergreen lines, "Naaviruva Thaanave Gandhada Gudi. Andada Gudi Gandhada Gudi. Chandada Gudi Srigandhada Gudi," remain etched in the Kannada psyche. These words weren’t just poetic tributes—they were declarations of love for the sacred groves of this land. At the heart of this green devotion lies Bengaluru. Now known for its traffic and tech parks, the city once breathed through its 35 forest blocks, spread across…

The dust has settled over the IPL frenzy and the Royal Challengers’ win, following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, and the government is working to establish accountability. Now, it is time to calmly review the systemic flaws that have come to light and introspect on how citizens may also have contributed to the tragedy.  What appears to be the chief cause is the ‘culture of lawlessness’ that pervades our entire society — from elected representatives and bureaucrats to private enterprises, fans, and ordinary citizens. Did the government compromise public safety?    What was the urgency, or even the necessity, for…

Bengaluru’s cultural scene is a dynamic blend of history and modernity. From Kempegowda’s legacy to its evolving cosmopolitan spirit, the city embraces tradition and change equally. It boasts several cultural landmarks such as the Bengaluru Palace of the Wodeyar dynasty, Rangashankara, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum and Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), alongside green retreats like the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Cubbon Park and Bannerghatta. From the neighbourhoods of Basavanagudi celebrating 'Kadlekai Parishe' (groundnut fair), flower shopping at Malleshwaram, to the renowned 'Karaga' in Chickpete, the city flaunts many micro-cultures tied to communities and shared local narratives. Bengaluru has also become a…

ಬುರಗುಂಟೆ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಒಂದು ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಬದಲಾವಣೆ ರೂಪಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದೆ - ಇದು ಅಡುಗೆಮನೆಯ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಪೋಷಣೆಯಾಗಿ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅದನ್ನು ಅಳವಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಿಗೆ ಆ ಗೊಬ್ಬರವು ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಿ ಆಹಾರ ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಸರಳ ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾದ ಇದು ಈಗ ಲಲಿತಾ ಅಕ್ಕ ಎಂಬ ದೃಢನಿಶ್ಚಯವುಳ್ಳ ಮಹಿಳೆಯ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮೂಹಿಕ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನವಾಗಿ ವಿಕಸನಗೊಂಡಿದೆ.  ಸರ್ಜಾಪುರದ ಆನೇಕಲ್ ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕಿನ ಬುರಗುಂಟೆ ಗ್ರಾಮದ ನಿವಾಸಿಗಳು, ನಗರ ಮತ್ತು ಪಟ್ಟಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯ ವಿಲೇವಾರಿ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ಬಹಳ ಹಿಂದಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಅನುಸರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು - ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮಿಶ್ರ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಬಿಲ್ಲಾಪುರ ಗ್ರಾಮ ಪಂಚಾಯಿತಿಯಿಂದ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸುವ ವಾಹನಕ್ಕೆ ಹಸ್ತಾಂತರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಈ ವಾಹನವು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಭೂಕುಸಿತಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಗಿಸುತಿತ್ತು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ಕಸವನ್ನು ಎಸೆಯಲಾಗುತ್ತಿತು ಅಥವಾ ಸುಡಲಾಗುತಿತ್ತು. ಬುರುಗುಂಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರಿಗೆ ತಾವು ಅಳವಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯ ವಿಲೇವಾರಿಯ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸದಿಂದುಂಟಾಗುವ ದುಷ್ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅರಿವಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಅನೇಕ ಜನರು ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಮನೆಯ ಅಂಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಸಾಡುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಸುಡುತಿದ್ದರು, ಇದರಿಂದ ಅನೇಕ…