Society

Andalamma identifies herself as a 'Raitha mahile' and a 'Samaja sevike (social worker)'. She is a woman who 'may be physically old but is mentally strong'; She has done so many different things over the decades, from running a pre-primary school, an orphanage, and a full-fledged school (day care to 10th standard). She is a director in a factory, has started a Mahila Samaja and many stree shakti groups too. She has spent time in learning about mushroom cultivation and vermicompost; she also enjoys learning languages, and can speak and understand Malayalam and Bengali. Andalamma is currently involved in building…

RJ Shruti was at the BBMP Head Office at Corporation Circle, the venue of the Pourakarmika strike, on Women's Day this year. The 'temporary' Mahila Powrakarmikas are currently taken on through a contract system and do not get any of the crucial benefits that 'permanent' workers get including the notified minimum wage of Rs. 14,040 per month. They are currently being paid in the range of Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000 per month while also not getting any weekly or festival offs. The promises made by the government last year in this regard are yet to be implemented at ground…

Recently, you have read a lot about RUMPs in this space – Re-Usable Menstrual Products – Menstrual Cups and Cloth Pads. Initially feeling a little lost about what they are, you probably watched some videos on YouTube as well – which left you more confused on how to select the right product for yourself. If you are one of those who don’t mind inserting a foreign object in your vagina – without thinking twice – switch to a cup. You will never regret it. It’s comfortable, convenient, cost-effective and eco-friendly. But if you are one of those, who just can’t…

Bengaluru-based organisation Stree Jagruti Samiti that champions the cause of domestic workers, in association with Domestic Workers’ Rights Union, organised a campaign themed “Erase the shame” on the occasion of International Working Women’s Day. A group of domestic workers from in and around Koramangala, clad in red sarees, gathered in front of Total Mall in Madivala holding placards to raise their voice against the cases of sexual assault. Geeta Menon, one of the founding members of Stree Jagruti Samiti who led the campaign, addressed the domestic workers and the passersby on the significance of raising voice against women and child…

Nagarathana, Kavitha, Krishanavani are supported by Sparsha Trust, which works towards the holistic development for under prililedged children. Listen to three children talking about the circumstances that they were brought up in and how support from the Sparsha Trust and activities such as Dollu Kunita have enabled them to think beyound sustanance and to dream about what they want to do with their lives.

It started off as a typical day. The autowallah announced the meter doesn't work as we entered the godawful intersection. I asked for him to cross it and stop. He offered to drop me at my destination and take what I give since I go this route to work daily and must know what it costs. I agreed despite my better judgement and as soon as we reached, he demanded double. I gave him the usual and started walking off, he grabbed my hand trying to stop me and then followed me into the Kamat where I went to grab…

Remember when it was 'that time of the month' and you dreaded the lumpy sanitary pad which left you constantly stressed about staining your pants? Well, the world has moved on from all thing chunky to all things sleek, pads included, but it's still uncomfortable, causes rashes, leaks and leaves you stressed for the week. The biggest problem of the now long sleek pads, with extra absorbents and what-not, is the volume of garbage they generate. This, in addition to being expensive and uncomfortable. There is no safe way to dispose of these pads and tampons. They clog drain pipes,…

Food is something that connects easily with everyone. Manorama Joshi spreaks about Malnad cusine and their effort to get people in Bengaluru to sample their cusine during the Malnad Mela for the past 10 years.

Part-time fashion consultant and drag performer Jabez Kelly speaks about being gay, artistic and loving heels. He shares about the challenges and harassment he has faced while in college, and how he has dealt with them. He further talks about how he has grown as an individual and how he is eagerly looking forward to an upcoming visit to Australia.