Economy

They ensure that we are well fed and clothed. But sometimes do not enjoy these privileges. Actually, some of them barely survive. Or do not all. I am referring to India's small farmers who commit suicide. So why do our agriculturists and sericulturists take their lives? As they are often deep in debt. Is that all? Insufficient availability or access to institutional credit, i.e., minimal bank loans is a major cause. Unfortunately, banks which were set up to support poor farmers, do not! So the agriculturists borrow from private moneylenders and microfinance institutions at high interest rates. Climatic changes result…

International Women's Day celebrated for the hundredth year. It would appear that much has changed in a century. Still, in 2011, it hasn't been an easy time for city-based women who aspire to step out of their homes. Forget about the more 'conservative' rural areas. For all Bengaluru's 'progress', it's still a 'kids or career' choice for most working mothers in the city. They continue to have to compromise on their ambitions; only handful of companies actually accommodate them. Work from Home Elizabeth Rajesh, resident of JP Nagar 5th phase and a mid-level employee in a tech firm, moved to…

Dev Raj 45 is a construction worker who left his village in Bihar 25 years ago to make a living. He has worked in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Jodhpur, Coimbatore and Bangalore. After all these years, he's going back to his village disappointed with what he has achieved. Raj has been in Bengaluru for a year now. "I am going home next month and I will not come back. I will work in the fields in my village. Yes, I will earn less but it is far better than living here," said Dev Raj. He earns 200 rupees per day…

For Bengaluru's netizens whose local LPG suppliers (Indane, HP or BP) are listed in the the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department's website, compliance with the January 19th notice on elimination of fake above poverty line (APL) ration cards got easier. This guide applies whether or not you have an APL ration card. (Note: this guide does not apply for consumers whose gas agency is not listed on the FCS department's website.) You can submit your LPG, BESCOM and Ration card information consumer data document scans through the web. On a successful submission, you will get an acknowledgment slip…

READERS PLEASE NOTE: Deadline extended till February 19th Feb 5th, 2011: Citizen Matters has published a simple guide to upload your compliance information directly at the Food and Civil Supplies Department website: Start here and proceed. A notice issued by Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs on has confused citizens, media and LPG gas agencies. Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs issued a notice on January 18, saying that Above Poverty Line (APL) ration card holders should submit a photocopy of their card, with the electricity meter number written on it, along with a…

Most of us Bangaloreans consume eggs, whether as fried eggs or in cakes. But did you know where the egg on your plate comes from? From a factory or a farm? India is among the top five poultry producers in the world today; we did about 45 billion eggs in 2009, from 200 million caged hens. Life for the hen in an industrial poultry farm is inhuman, to put it mildly. Treated as mere egg-producing machines, these hens get less than an A4 sheet of space to live their entire lives; are fed with steroids in order to make them…

Based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Bangalore-based Institute of Public Health (IPH), the Karnataka High Court (HC) has issued notices to the Karnataka state health and family welfare department, and the union ministries of commerce and health. The PIL challenges the sponsorship and participation of the Tobacco Board of India (a Government of India entity established under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce) in the Global Tobacco Networking Forum (GTNF), scheduled to be held at ITC  Royal Gardenia (near Kanteerva stadium) between October 4th - 8th, here in Bangalore. The Global Tobacco Networking Forum is scheduled to…

Today, mentors, investors and angel investors are available in plenty in Bengaluru. There is a lot of energy and excitement in the air. While a great mentor and investor can do wonders to take your company from one orbit to the next, a bad one can deplete your energy and dilute company value. Here are some thoughts from Gyan, the super-mentor on the current scenario.. "to trigger thinking":•·        Think through the long term impact of the investors/mentors/advisors on your business when you decide to give away equity, both positive and not so positive•·        If there is a mix of investors/mentors…

Fresh out of college, they chose to tread the path less-taken. These are Bengaluru's young entrepreneurs who have broken away from 'regular' careers. They have started from scratch, gathering capital, customers and clients. These bold and daring women in their early twenties have turned their dreams into reality and started their own enterprise. Twenty-three-year-olds Eshanya Karle and Savita Vijayakumar are one such pair. Their not-for-profit 'So, What Now?' was started in May 2009 and is an extension of the duo's vision to provide a platform for creative young minds to "meet, develop and implement their ideas." 'So, What Now?' sells…

We usually notice them at construction sites of private or commercial buildings or public infrastructure projects. They often speak different dialects of Telugu, Oriya, Hindi or a mix of these or other languages. And their kids (sometimes only partly clad) play in the sand or water lying around. A few of them live in tin shacks, thatched huts or tarpaulin tents nearby. Or in similar accomodation by the roadside elsewhere, commuting in open trucks or by walk to their place of work. These people are among those categorized as the unorganized sector. And are typically daily or weekly wage labourers…