identity

Kong Tailin Lyngdoh, a Khasi lady from Meghalaya, was asked to leave a golf club in Delhi for wearing her traditional dress. She was told that she looked like a Nepali and that her dress made her look like a maid. To highlight this discrimination, the 'My Dress is My Identity' event was organised by the Northeast Solidarity at SCM of India, Bangalore on the 7th of July. The event explored the issue Kong Tailin Lyngdoh faced and discussed solutions on how people from Northeast India can educate fellow Indians about various aspects of their culture, history, and habits including…

What is Aadhaar?Aadhaar is a 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India.Where can I use it?This number will serve as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India.Is UID registration and getting Aadhaar card compulsory?No, Aadhaar registration is voluntary, not compulsory. Enrollment is free.Is this like a social security? In a sense, yes; Aadhaar enables identification and may be assigned to every 'resident' of India; it is NOT a proof of citizenship and consequently, not only for Indians. What information is visible on the card?The UID card…

The much talked about and hyped Aadhaar card still remains a mystery to many, but the rush at the registration counters tells a different tale. On closer look one finds that though people are rushing to the centres to get their Unique Identity (UID) cards, they do not know the exact purpose. Most citizens believe that since it is a government document, it is required. However they do not know if it is mandatory to have an UID or not. UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani with residents receiving their Aadhaar cards. Credit: uidai.gov.in Narayan K, a businessman operating from Chickpet, got…

"We should learn Kannada. No Kannada, no respect" says one white cab driver to another. This is a scene from the recent Kannada blockbuster Super. The movie is set in 2030 with Bangalore as a ultra modern city populated with men wearing Mysore petas and where all the cab drivers are white. Hegemony is maintained through language – English and Hindi are considered to be above Kannada. A person may expect you to learn Hindi while not learning Kannada – this causes resentment among Kannadigas. There are many avenues for learning Kannada. For example, Tamil Sangam holds Kannada classes, or…