GENRE: Voices

Mumbai has numerous dams at about 100 km from the municipal boundaries of the city. Yet many in the city do not have access to water. If you look closely at who cannot use this water, it is mostly people living in informal settlements and bastis. In 2012, we at Pani Haq Samiti filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court, demanding water for all in Mumbai, as per Article 21 of the Constitution, which highlights the right to dignity and the right to life.  The HC verdict directed the BMC to create a “Water for All”…

As co-founders of Bangalore Cat Squad(BCS), started in 2014 — one of India’s only dedicated feline rescue networks and cloud shelters, we annually rescue, rehome and rehabilitate more than 2,000 felines and canines in need. We thrive on the dedication of our volunteer fosters, who provide over 50 safe havens across Bengaluru for distressed animals. We manage urban stray animal populations, offer medical care, and find homes for disabled, sick, elderly, or incapacitated animals that can no longer survive on their own. BCS's essence lies in the altruism of its volunteers — a diverse group ranging from CEOs to students,…

Visalakshi Kabilan, Councillor of Ward 180 in Chennai, has been a dedicated field worker long before her political debut. With her in-laws being long-time DMK members, she made good the opportunity when Ward 180 was declared a reserved ward for women, paving the way for her entry into local politics. She is keen on facilitating higher education opportunities for children in her ward, especially those from marginalised communities. Ward 180 in Chennai Name of the Councillor: Visalakshi Kabilan Age: 55 Party: DMK Education: B.Com Number: 9445467180 / 9176179311 Map of Ward 180 in Chennai. Pic Courtesy: GCC Read more: Councillor…

According to the 2016 Comprehensive Mobility Plan by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, 51% of trips in Mumbai are by walking. Notably, 72.5% of trips to educational institutions and 60% of trips involving public transport start and end with walking. Despite these figures, Mumbai's infrastructure is not pedestrian-friendly, and road safety remains a significant concern. Recent projects like the coastal road and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link prioritise cars over pedestrians. Elections and pedestrians' needs With the assembly elections approaching, the Walking Project, an NGO that works towards creating a safe, convenient, and enjoyable walking experience, has released its…

இந்திய விமானப்படையின் 92-வது ஆண்டுவிழா 6.10.2024 அன்று கொண்டாடப்பட்டது. இதனையொட்டி சென்னை மெரினா கடற்கரையில் காலை 11 மணி முதல் 1 மணிவரை இந்திய விமானப்படையின் பல்வேறு விமானங்கள் கலந்துகொண்டு சாகச நிகழ்வுகளை நடத்தின. இந்த  Airshow வை பார்வையிட மொத்தம் 13 லட்சம் பேர் கூடியதாகச் சொல்லப்படுகிறது. கடற்கரைக்குச் சென்றவர்களில் வெப்பம் மற்றும் கூட்ட நெரிசலின் காரணமாக இதுவரை 5 பேர் உயிரிழந்திருப்பதாகவும் 90க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருவதாகவும், 250க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் மயக்கமடைந்ததாகவும் செய்திகள் கூறுகின்றன. Read more: Why Chennai needs to put its ‘heat action plan’ to practice right away நேற்று (October 6) சென்னையில் 36°C வரை வெப்பநிலை இருக்கும் என சனிக்கிழமையே இந்திய வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் எச்சரித்திருந்தது.  நேற்று (October 6) சென்னை நுங்கம்பாக்கத்தில் பதிவான அதிகபட்ச வெப்பநிலை 34.3 °C ஆகும். வெய்யிலின் தாக்கம் அதிகம் இருந்ததிற்கு முக்கிய காரணம் Wet…

An old-time resident of Perambur, 71-year-old K S Krishnan would never have imagined that he would be duped and robbed in his neighbourhood in broad daylight. A few weeks ago, Krishnan, a retired Central government employee, went to a temple in Thiruvanmiyur and was getting back home. When he got down from the bus and went to a nearby shop, a person claiming to be a police personnel waylaid him saying that he should be careful of his valuables and talked him into putting his gold chain and rings, which were around 3.5 sovereigns, in his pocket. The stranger said he…

It has been over two years since the State government notified the rules under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act Rules, 2023, which establish regulations for the functioning of Area Sabhas and Ward Sabhas throughout the state. However, no information is available or being maintained in the public domain by any of the Urban Local Governments (ULGs) or the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) to track the functioning of these Area Sabhas. We at Voice of People, have repeatedly appealed for transparency by petitioning the State government.  Read more: Area Sabhas and Ward Committees: Power to…

A lake is not just a body of water, it is an ecosystem. Action Aid Association India organised a survey to document the biodiversity of Dorekere, a lake in South Bengaluru. The biodiversity survey was funded by the Australian Consulate in Chennai. It not only documented several species but highlighted the importance of such an activity in understanding whether Bengaluru lakes are being developed in an ecologically sound manner. Dorekere is a 28-acre lake in the Uttarahalli suburb of South Bengaluru. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) currently manages the lake. Earlier, it came under the purview of the Karnataka…

As technology has advanced, cyber abuse and crime has also increased. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, as we have seen in our earlier reports on deepfake videos and image-based abuse. In an interview with Citizen Matters, cyber psychologist, Nirali Bhatia, talks about the psychological impact on people who have been deceived on the internet and the support system they need. Excerpts from the conversation: What should a person do, if and when they have fallen prey to a deep fake scam or image abuse? We need to understand and tell ourselves it is fake; that itself should help us…

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme designates October as the month to raise awareness about urban sustainability and related challenges. Known as 'Urban October,' it begins with World Habitat Day on the first Monday of October and concludes with World Cities Day on October 31. This period is apt for revisiting the aim of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which is to 'make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.'  Currently, more than half of the global population lives in urban areas, up from around one-third in 1950 and projected to increase to around…