Articles by Pushpa Achanta

  Last Saturday evening (23rd April 2011), around thirty IT/ITeS Employees gathered under the banner of IT and ITeS Employee Centre (ITEC) in front of Bangalore's Town Hall amidst heavy and incessant rain to condole the shocking suicide of Prabhakar. The deceased was a thirty eight year old who had been working in the information technology industry for over a decade. The late Prabhakar had apparently left a note stating that he was resorting to the extreme step as he was unable to cope with the severe stress that his job was causing him.   ITEC has decided to set up…

  Last Saturday evening (23rd April 2011), around thirty IT/ITeS Employees gathered under the banner of IT and ITeS Employee Centre (ITEC) in front of Bangalore's Town Hall amidst heavy and incessant rain to condole the shocking suicide of Prabhakar. The deceased was a thirty eight year old who had been working in the information technology industry for over a decade. The late Prabhakar had apparently left a note stating that he was resorting to the extreme step as he was unable to cope with the severe stress that his job was causing him.   ITEC has decided to set up…

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…

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…

Two years ago, Ekta Mittal, co-founder, Maraa and Yashaswini Raghunandan, a film maker and artist started working on their film Behind the Tin Sheets. The production documents the lives of the workers who are involved in building the Bangalore Metro. It also captures the changes that the city has undergo during the construction."The process has been one of the most endearing one for us. It was a great way to deal with the transformations of the city and film some of the most interesting stories", say Ekta and Yashu (as friends call her). A fellowship from the Centre for Media…

Two years ago, Ekta Mittal, co-founder, Maraa and Yashaswini Raghunandan, a film maker and artist started working on their film Behind the Tin Sheets. The production documents the lives of the workers who are involved in building the Bangalore Metro. It also captures the changes that the city has undergo during the construction."The process has been one of the most endearing one for us. It was a great way to deal with the transformations of the city and film some of the most interesting stories", say Ekta and Yashu (as friends call her). A fellowship from the Centre for Media…

"I chose Bangalore for my worldwide launch as it is a diverse and vibrant global city", said Yazmany Arboleda, an artist from New York city. His floating installation attracted the curiosity of the young, elderly, employed, students and all others who were in or around Shivaji Nagar bus stand in the forenoon of 24th January 2011.The objective of the activity was to encourage people to start their Monday (work week) on a positive note. With teenagers Divya and Gautam Ravindran from Shanti Bhavan assisting him enthusiastically, Arboleda invited around ten thousand passengers and passers by to be a part of…

"I chose Bangalore for my worldwide launch as it is a diverse and vibrant global city", said Yazmany Arboleda, an artist from New York city. His floating installation attracted the curiosity of the young, elderly, employed, students and all others who were in or around Shivaji Nagar bus stand in the forenoon of 24th January 2011.The objective of the activity was to encourage people to start their Monday (work week) on a positive note. With teenagers Divya and Gautam Ravindran from Shanti Bhavan assisting him enthusiastically, Arboleda invited around ten thousand passengers and passers by to be a part of…

3 years ago, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Population First launched the Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity. Their objective is to annually recognize and reward gender just perspectives, stories and analyses by various newsmedia between 1st July of the previous year and 30th June of the current year. Comprising of regional and national awards, they are given in each category including print, internet, audio (radio) and audio-visual (television) media. Apart from this, there are also all India awards for similar efforts in advertising. Importantly, the awards include various vernacular tongues in addition to Urdu, Hindi and English. National…

3 years ago, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Population First launched the Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity. Their objective is to annually recognize and reward gender just perspectives, stories and analyses by various newsmedia between 1st July of the previous year and 30th June of the current year. Comprising of regional and national awards, they are given in each category including print, internet, audio (radio) and audio-visual (television) media. Apart from this, there are also all India awards for similar efforts in advertising. Importantly, the awards include various vernacular tongues in addition to Urdu, Hindi and English. National…