July | 2009 | | Citizen Matters, Blogs

The viral blame game

July 31, 2009 Subramaniam Vincent

The thing about blame is that it usually comes full circle. As incidents of viral fever (Dengue, Chikugunya, etc.), in the city started increasing, we decided to investigate why there was such a widespread spurt

VIRTUAL GAME: Writing a business plan

July 30, 2009 Anjana Vivek

Are you interested in writing a business plan? Is it to show to an investor? If you are planning to write a plan for your business or to help someone or are just curious about

RTI clinic gaining momentum

July 30, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

"The RTI Act is best understood by using it, not just knowing it". – Anand S, ACF Bangalore It was around 2.15 PM on Jul-25, the last Saturday of the month at Cubbon Park and

Touching and transforming young lives

July 30, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Ever visited a BBMP school? Or met children studying in one? When I first heard of it, I immediately visualized a dilapidated building with a loud bell and boisterous children. But this one was different.

Painting Day for Children at Ranga Shankara

July 26, 2009 Deepa Mohan

Ranga Shankara continues its endeavour to encourage art and theatre among children, by organizing a Painting Day on the 2nd of August, 2009. The Painting Day is a precursor to a mega event for children,

International Canopy Conference by ATREE, and painting competition

July 26, 2009 Deepa Mohan

The 5th International Canopy conference from 25th October – 31st october, 2009, in Bangalore, India. Details here For those interested… ATREE is also organizing a painting competition on the theme "Forest canopies" as part of

In sickness and in health

July 23, 2009 Vaishnavi Vittal

Last week I was working on a health-related story that required me to visit several hospitals in the city. They were, as expected, overflowing with sick patients, all thanks to the mosquito menace that Bangalore

Janaspandanas or ward committees: calling the bluff

July 19, 2009 Meera K

Around 18 years ago, a piece of paper carried the following sprited words, as a reasoned explanation for a series of amendments to a hallowed document. Here’s how the words read: "In many States local

Dharna against destroying a playground

July 19, 2009 Deepa Mohan

Here’s a link to the web album by Nithya, which covers this protest: click here Apparently all that has been agreed to is that BBMP will take "appropriate action"…this may not be enough, and we

“All are equal miss…

July 13, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

…Hindus, Muslims, Christians, boys and girls", were the heart warming words of Afreen Sultana, a promising class IX student of a government aided English medium school in Matadahalli, R.T. Nagar. A fornight ago, it all

Govt building gets elevator with the help of RTI

July 12, 2009 Supriya Khandekar

On 30th September 2008, Sahakara Bhavan, a government building got an elevator through an RTI application. This despite the fact that a provision for two lifts was made for this building at the time of

A Treeless Desert…

July 9, 2009 Deepa Mohan

When I bump over the potholes, When I (don’t) see the missing trees… When I can feel the pollution Because it makes me wheeze…. When I’m cycling in the hot sun Without an ounce of

Championing our right to information!

July 8, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

RTI Clinics: A powerful tool to promote RTI among masses.

Questions for Nandan Nilekani: Chairman of UIDAI

July 7, 2009 Editors

Dear Nandan, The central government recently appointed you, a Bangalorean, as the head of the ambitious Universal Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and you accepted. Congratulations. Please address one key question to set the right

Volunteer Diary

Women of this World

July 3, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Women with courage, strength and patience. Supporting their children and each other. Speaking out against violence at home and outside. Despite the pain of abuse and the threat of ostracization and backlash. In India,