Building Dreams – the life of migrant construction workers

The Karnataka Housing Board proposed to build a multi-storey housing project at Valagerahalli, Kengeri, Bangalore in 2012. It was a 24 Crore Rupees project that that employed about 1000 labourers, including all sectors of work.  812 flats were built spread over 6 acres in 7 buildings of 14 storey each. A Housing Unit was set …

An Exemplary Jewel

With a toothless smile, She comes every once-a-week to carry out ‘Life’s Responsibility'. Her name is Muniamma*. She is 48 years old and a mother of 3. A native of Kuppam – a small village in the Karnataka-Andhra border, she was born to a well-to-do farmer. The apple of her father’s eye, she had a …

Colorful Pandemonium

Cheriyan Sir had just announced in his sturdy voice that we were to host the Tackle Fest, on Saturday, November 29, 2014. My friend Sahana and me, were one of the first ones to put up our hands to volunteer – this time, we weren’t really worried of missing our classes or, for that matter, …

A Glimpse into Tackle Caravan

The light brown sand spreads out majestically over the playground. Four 2 storey buildings enclose this expanse with two trees on the corner. It is the Kodihalli Govt. School - one of the venues for Saturday’s Caravan. Headstreams - an NGO associated with the development of Women, Youth and Children, initiates the “Tackle Caravan” program …

The Little Heart

When I was a kid, there was this really nice, melting-in-the-mouth, sugary cracker that all of us, as children, loved. It was called "little hearts". And of course the biscuit was Heart Shaped! As I sat and thought about which aspect of "development" in development journalism , I should cover ; initially , the choice was …