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Neralu ninaivugazhu

March 9, 2014 Pushpa Achanta

My memories of Neralu, Bangalore’s first crowd funded tree fiesta held in around Cubbon Park on 8th and February 9th 2014. We walkedand talkedabout trees,birds and bees There were songs and dancesof green romancesplays, talesand

Footsteps for freedom

December 31, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

How about starting 2014 with a walk for gender minorities? Praja Rajakiya Vedike along with other organizations is conducting “Freedom Walk – End Violence on Sexual Minorities” tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan-1-2014). This is an effort to

Bengaluru, aah Bengalooru

October 31, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

What is it –A city, town or village?‘Twas a pensioners’ paradise it seemsHaving a colonial hangoverAmidst MEG, BEL, HMT, ITIUsurped by the silicon dump With its Nagars, Towns and hallis‘Tis an escape no moreFrom the

Minimize cars, Maximize health

September 29, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

Annually, many countries observe International Car Free Day on 22nd September to encourage people to leave their cars or reduce their use. Since 2011, ESAF, a city based non-profit that works on making Bangalore more

Time to “clear the air” in Bangalore

July 20, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

Traffic congestion due to increased private vehicles and expensive public transport, respiratory diseases from polluted air, pedestrians’ problems owing to poor roads and footpaths et al, have become a part of life of Bangalore. Here

Volunteer Diary

Manifestos from the young electorate

May 2, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

It is election season in the city and the rest of the state. Most of the local news is about the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and various political parties, campaign activities, problems existing

Volunteer Diary

Creativity from the coast

March 30, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

Godson Samuel, a pastor from coastal Tamil Nadu, now working in Pune was a student of a lady professor in Bangalore’s United Theological College some years ago. Hearteningly, the woman’s courage and ability to break

Volunteer Diary

A unique craft store

February 27, 2013 Pushpa Achanta

At first glance, the store called "Himalayan Dowry An Anti-Dowry Store" seems like any other place dealing in Kashmiri handicrafts, except for its name. Only on enquiring, would one realize that there is more to

Feminism thrives

December 30, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

The 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

Freedom – what’s that?

November 11, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

"Freedom is another word for nothing left to lose", said someone. But, for many people who often lose the little that they have, freedom is another wor(l)d. And that wor(l)d did not appear on 15th

“Car Aside, Walk Beside”

September 28, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

An interesting way to urge four-wheeler users to burn more calories and less fuel. And of course reduce emissions, traffic, noise et al. Evangelical Social Action Forum, a Bangalore based NGO in association with Healthbridge

Volunteer Diary

Namma deha, namma hakku!

August 9, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

That was how around 40 of us reclaimed our space vociferously and visibly on the roads of Madiwala (South Bangalore) and its environs between 5.00-7.00 pm last Saturday, 4th August. We energetically and emphatically

Volunteer Diary

See the finer print?

July 16, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

Still from the film (Courtesy: Jobin Andrews) What do places like Electronic City (Bangalore), Cyberabad (Hyderabad) and TIDEL Park (Chennai) have in common? Well, they are parts of large southern Indian metropolises where many information

Volunteer Diary

Branched out

June 5, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

There was a shower That shook a treeA branch broke free And shut out the power Kids gathered noisilyAdults responded quickly The police arrivedThe loggers followedThey sawed the wood But left the leaves Tea was

Volunteer Diary

Walking the talk for the girl child

May 7, 2012 Pushpa Achanta

"I brought my younger daughter to the park as she has her summer holidays and was keen to find out what this event is all about. My older girl is in doing well in high