Frazer Town

 Lamps left out to dry at Pottery Town. Pottery town is the source of all the terracotta pots, lamps, statues etc you see on sale on Bangalores roads.Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

The Bangalore District Chapter of the Right to Food (RTF) Campaign - Karnataka organized a public hearing on the Public Distribution System (PDS) on 23rd April 2011 from 2.30 - 6.30 PM in Bangalore (at the United Theological College on Millers Road). The meeting focussed on the functioning of fair price (ration) shops, vigilance committees, grievance redressal mechanisms, Ahara Adalats and distribution of ration cards. Participants included Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), Stree Jagruti Samiti (SJS), Citizens Voluntary Initiative for the City (CIVIC), Domestic Workers Rights Union (DWRU), South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), Association for…

A sister and brother at pottery town. The sister saw my camera, flashed an absolutely charming smile, caught her brother and forced him to pose. Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

A potter at work at pottery town. This potter makes about 3000 such lamps a day!  Pic by Ravi Kaushik  ⊕

When we were children, the term ration card (or family card) meant something crucial for survival. From our family's short stint in Mumbai, I recall that it was mandatory for school admissions too. Well, it was perhaps because it was the only acceptable document that proved the identity and location of a person and his or her family members - not many had passports, telephone connections or driving licences. And there were no voter identity or income tax PAN cards then! Further, the gas connection was usually in the name of either the husband or wife. Importantly, the family card…

 The Dhobhi Ghat at Frazer town is about 38 years old. Dhobhis work 7 days a week and service various areas around Ulsoor. ⊕ Pic by Ravi Kaushik.

"Bangalore is not a garden city any more!" is a common refrain that I have been hearing for over 3 years. It is definitely not the cool town that we had visited a few times during summer in the mid 1980's, escaping the scorching Chennai heat. (Apparently, it was still a pleasant place when my husband started his career here over a decade ago). This situation reminds me of the song Ayyayyo Bengaluru lamenting this city's deterioration rendered during the first edition of Namma Jathre (Freedom Festival) in Cubbon Park in 2006. So what are the reasons for this live…

On Gandhi Jayanti, as I was walking past the United Theological College (UTC) on Millers Road, I was delighted to see a banner regarding its centenary celebrations still displayed. Although I was aware that this renowned institution turned a hundred in July 2010, I was unable to participate in any of the relevant events. Curious to know what was on that afternoon, I entered the green and serene campus. The helpful security guard and a staff member directed me to the large group of Mizo youth (our siblings from the state of Mizoram) chatting and playing merrily. Learning that there…

A childhood's memories Of looking and waiting For something exciting From the grove of coconut trees A busy woodpecker An agile tree climber Two young boys Who made little noise If we missed these We simply counted the trees What rekindled these memories Was Visthar's coconut trees! Situated in an eco-friendly campus in Dodda Gubbi off the Hennur Road in east Bangalore, Visthar is a treasure trove of nature's bounty that drives one to reflect inwards while celebrating life. A veritable hub of socio-cultural and environmental consciousness this organization turned twenty one recently. Famous for hosting annual festivals and events that…

Have you ever observed or interacted with children from low income families (and sometimes first generation literates) studying in private or government aided English medium schools, in their school or outside? Who are their friends? What is their medium (language) and topic of conversation?  Do they commute by walk  or bus or private transport? Does their body language display confidence and stability or insecurity and discrimination?   While tutoring and mentoring such children I have found that many of them feel diffident primarily because they can't converse fluently in English and lack academic and career guidance at home. Further, their…