Frazer Town

 Lamps left out to dry at Pottery Town. Pottery town is the source of all the terracotta pots, lamps, statues etc you see on sale on Bangalores roads.Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

 Lamps left out to dry at Pottery Town. Pottery town is the source of all the terracotta pots, lamps, statues etc you see on sale on Bangalores roads.Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

The Bangalore District Chapter of the Right to Food (RTF) Campaign - Karnataka organized a public hearing on the Public Distribution System (PDS) on 23rd April 2011 from 2.30 - 6.30 PM in Bangalore (at the United Theological College on Millers Road). The meeting focussed on the functioning of fair price (ration) shops, vigilance committees, grievance redressal mechanisms, Ahara Adalats and distribution of ration cards. Participants included Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), Stree Jagruti Samiti (SJS), Citizens Voluntary Initiative for the City (CIVIC), Domestic Workers Rights Union (DWRU), South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), Association for…

The Bangalore District Chapter of the Right to Food (RTF) Campaign - Karnataka organized a public hearing on the Public Distribution System (PDS) on 23rd April 2011 from 2.30 - 6.30 PM in Bangalore (at the United Theological College on Millers Road). The meeting focussed on the functioning of fair price (ration) shops, vigilance committees, grievance redressal mechanisms, Ahara Adalats and distribution of ration cards. Participants included Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), Stree Jagruti Samiti (SJS), Citizens Voluntary Initiative for the City (CIVIC), Domestic Workers Rights Union (DWRU), South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), Association for…

A sister and brother at pottery town. The sister saw my camera, flashed an absolutely charming smile, caught her brother and forced him to pose. Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

A sister and brother at pottery town. The sister saw my camera, flashed an absolutely charming smile, caught her brother and forced him to pose. Pic by Ravi Kaushik ⊕

A potter at work at pottery town. This potter makes about 3000 such lamps a day!  Pic by Ravi Kaushik  ⊕

A potter at work at pottery town. This potter makes about 3000 such lamps a day!  Pic by Ravi Kaushik  ⊕

When we were children, the term ration card (or family card) meant something crucial for survival. From our family's short stint in Mumbai, I recall that it was mandatory for school admissions too. Well, it was perhaps because it was the only acceptable document that proved the identity and location of a person and his or her family members - not many had passports, telephone connections or driving licences. And there were no voter identity or income tax PAN cards then! Further, the gas connection was usually in the name of either the husband or wife. Importantly, the family card…

When we were children, the term ration card (or family card) meant something crucial for survival. From our family's short stint in Mumbai, I recall that it was mandatory for school admissions too. Well, it was perhaps because it was the only acceptable document that proved the identity and location of a person and his or her family members - not many had passports, telephone connections or driving licences. And there were no voter identity or income tax PAN cards then! Further, the gas connection was usually in the name of either the husband or wife. Importantly, the family card…