Rini Simon Khanna, whose presence and voice are part of most events of substance in the national capital, recently moderated the United Nations Global Compact’s “Regional Perspectives on Leadership for a Global Crisis: Asia Pacific”. The same evening, she also moderated the launch of the Global Nutrition Report 2020. With one major difference from the past: the well-known former television anchor moderated both these events online. “Most events are already happening online,” said Rini. “Now, all work will be segregated into that which needs F2F (face to face) attendance or physical presence, and that which can be done through online platforms. These events…
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Students from across educational institutions in the country have sent a comprehensive letter to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) condemning the passing of the EIA Notification 2020, which, in its current form, they perceive as destructive for the ecology and the people of India. In an initiative spearheaded by an environmental group of Ashoka University (headed by Anjali Dalmia, 20, from Pune), these youth (aged 17-28) have requested that it be deferred, rewritten as per recommendations by experts, and released once health and survival are not a critical issue. Following is the complete draft of the…
Read moreThe coronavirus pandemic that has swept the globe is perhaps going to be recorded in history as the most impactful and consequential event of this century. It has stretched the capacities of governance, public health infrastructure and social administration of affected nations to their limits. At the same time, the lockdown enforced to prevent the spread has brought economies to the ground and jeopardised the job prospects of many. With unemployment soaring during these tough times, recent graduates waiting in the wings and looking for their first job feel marooned. According to the All India Survey of Higher Education by…
Read moreCo-authored by Doel Jaikishen and Sachin Nachnekar A few years ago, a World Bank blog mentioned how two demographic patterns stand out globally, especially in developing nations—‘rapid urbanization and large youth populations’. In India in particular, which has the world’s largest youth population, it is important to consider how this demographic impacts and is impacted by urbanisation. The broad effects are clearly visible. While increasing urbanisation has brought about rapid infrastructure growth, greater connectivity and economic progress, it has also led to growing levels of inequality, exclusion and unequal access to basic services and universal human rights. It is generally…
Read moreFor years together, people talked about the 'demographic dividend'. Thanks to high fertility ratios in the past, a large number of young people would be entering the workforce, and we as yet don't have a very large aged population, so the ratio of workers to non-workers would be favourable. It would boost economic activity and taxes, and allow us to make investments in many public goods and services. This was not a bad picture to paint. But it had one important assumption - namely, that the young people entering the workforce would be skilled and productive. But we totally missed…
Read moreThe nice thing about having teens, is that you get to meet a lot of exciting young people - many of whom are musically gifted. I hope to bring you stories of these young musicians who are chasing their dreams and in many ways paving a new path for themselves & others. In this column, we'll meet one classical musician who juggles a full time career with her music and a disc jockey (DJ) who's building a career out of his passion. Priyanka Prakash is a popular singer in the Carnatic music circuit. Music has been an integral part of…
Read moreThe current socio-political (re)awakening nationwide encouraged me to share this piece that I had penned sometime back. I do not recall when and where I first heard the word feminist. But I am certain that it is essential to remember some of the positive contributions that feminism has made to women and society overall. These include the securing of voting rights for women, the right to work outside home, inclusion in anti-discrimination laws, et al. All this was achieved through the relentless and determined efforts of many courageous and committed women and some men, amidst much opposition. And the women's…
Read moreUnnati, a Bangalore-based NGO, has acheived its goal of empowering youth, by imparting vocational training to 110 young people. These youths have been placed in good companies with decent salaries.Sarojini Bharadvaj KSWDC Chairperson attended the valediction function .She addressed the students and talked about time management and patriotism.We want to reach out to more youth through the media.The Interviews for the 35th batch will be conducted at the nati center this Saturday 15 September 2012. Candidates should be present at the center at 9:00 A.M. For more details regarding interviews please check our website:www.unnatiblr.orgAbout Unnati: Unnati, an initiative from SGBS Trust,…
Read moreFor the last two months, young recruits from BBMP (Bommanahalli Zone) have been actively canvassing for waste segregation at source in large apartment complexes along Bannerghatta Road and parts of JP Nagar. The recruits in their late twenties or early thirties have been appointed to the posts of Deputy Environment Officers and Environmental Engineers. Santosh Kumar, Deputy Environment Officer, is one of the new recruits. Pic: Yogaraj Mudalgi Santosh Kumar, one of the Deputy Environment Officers, a chemical engineering graduate in his late twenties says that it was not a conscious decision by the BBMP to send young officers to…
Read more"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…
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