Social media has become a smart platform for entrepreneurial housewives to showcase and promote their businesses. Surekha Kadapa-Bose profiles a few of these women and tells us how their success stories were scripted. Riddhika Jesrani, Monya Dhingra, Sheel Mody, Chaitali Patel, Vandana Shah and Deepti Lav are not friends, do not live in the same city, are of different age groups and come from diverse backgrounds, but these women have one thing in common – they are homemakers-turned-business owners, who have expertly leveraged the reach of social media to fulfil their cherished dream of having a productive career. Technology has…
Author: oiop
Our farmers get the least priority even in times of acute drought. Isn’t it time the government initiated an efficient drought relief scheme apart from MGNREGA? The situation in mid-January is that the central government has so far released about ` 10,000 crores as drought relief to eight states. At the same time, however, earlier allocations for rural employment and nutrition were much below need, so overall there has been a funds crunch for initiating employment and nutrition work in drought affected villages. There is a sense of loss of hope among people, which in turn is leading to a…
With the rising emphasis on looking good, for both women and men, are we going too far and losing track of all that is really important? Disha Shetty tries to find an answer. Eyes lined with kajal, eye liner and mascara, a smile that is accompanied by a bright lipstick and hair that is glossy from the straightening procedures – that is how the face of the average young urban woman on the street looks. You think men are far behind? Well, check out the branded t-shirt of the young man walking past you, his stylish goggles and how can…
What are GM crops? Why is there opposition from many scientists and many state governments and bans by many countries? Dilnavaz Variava educates us about GM crops and the risks to our food and farmers. Only cotton – Bt cotton – has been genetically modified in India. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment is considering approval for release of GM (genetically modified) mustard. Field trials have also been conducted for crops such as rice, mustard, corn, chickpea and brinjal – whose release was halted in 2010 due to safety concerns. Given the world wide controversy…
ONE day a woman threw a stone at Maharaja Ranjit Singh and was promptly arrested and brought before the ruler. “Why did you throw a stone at me?” asked Ranjit Singh. “T…The stone was not meant for you, Maharaj,” said the woman, trembling uncontrollably. “My children are hungry since yesterday morning and I was trying to knock down some fruit from the ber tree.” The king looked at her sunken eyes and her thin, wasted body, and was moved to pity. He turned to one of his ministers and asked him to give the woman a thousand rupees. “She should…
WANG SUN was a fabulously wealthy merchant. But he wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. For years he struggled, battling poverty and creditors, dealing with clients and suppliers and bankers and skeptics. He became rich, slowly and steadily. He now had a magnificent home, carriages, and wore garments and jewellery fit for a king. One day, he heard that all his ships were lost at sea. Wang Sun had raised a lot of money from moneylenders and banks to outfit his ships for trade, and overnight, he lost everything to his creditors. His home, his carriages, his…
Is India really food poor? No, says Sridhar Radhakrishnan, and explains that we are actually producing two and a half times more food than is required. Where we are going wrong is in the distribution of this food to the really needy. It’s shocking that about 30 percent of the food in government godowns is eaten by rats, instead of reaching the hungry. Given this, are pesticide intensive and genetically modified foods the answer? The answer is a clear and resounding ‘No’! “To be interested in food but not in food production is clearly absurd” – Wendell Berry Let’s start…
February, Surajkund, a rustic village bordering Haryana and Delhi, presents a colourful kaleidoscope of the finest Indian handicrafts and handlooms. The 15-day long crafts mela, one of the largest of its kind in the country, attracts top craftsmen from all over India and abroad. The festival was started in 1987 by the government to promote Indian culture. Today it has gained international stature with a number of foreign tourists including it in their itinerary. The fair is set up around Surajkund, an ancient lake literally meaning ‘Lake of the Sun’. The sprawling grounds turn colourful with a number of makeshift…
Contrary to belief, Genetically Modified foods are not safe to eat. While shallow, unethical studies touting their safety are often cited, Claire Robinson says that some GM foods may be toxic or allergenic. Till well-researched and impartial data validates GM food, should we take the risk of consuming it?. We are often told that there is a scientific consensus that GM (Genetically Modified) foods are safe to eat. A closer look at the evidence, however, shows that this claim is false. There is no such consensus – and a significant body of evidence shows that GM foods can be toxic…
The Indian new year began on a somber note with the attack on the Pathankot Airbase, but political parties have to rally around and ensure that governance doesn’t get stalled. The New Year has begun on a sour note with the attack on the Pathankot Airbase in Punjab by suspected terrorists on a mission to destroy our strategic assets. While the attackers were neutralised after an intense combing operation, we also lost six of our men and once again it has become evident that our neighbour Pakistan has not been able to rein in terrorists operating from safe havens in…