The Beneficial Role of Free Wi-Fi in Our Connected Cities
An internet connection is almost a basic need these days as more and more chores are online enabled. Mr. Raman, retired since the last decade, was returning from a leisurely grocery round when his smartphone beeped. It took precious minutes for him to enliven the screen’s call acceptance and answer his worried wife on the…
How the Monsoons Affect and Influence the Indian Economy
Swamini was wide awake, even though it was later than midnight, listening intently to her parents’ discussions. In their modest cottage of two rooms in a small village of Maharashtra, three worried souls were lamenting the poor monsoon. Scarce rainfall meant Swamini’s father would have a low crop yield and this would set them back…
The Rise and Makeover of the Chaiwala in the Cities of India
The era of coffee shops is passé now, the charcha is all about the chai and around the chaiwala. However, let the disclaimer come in—there are no political angles here. The humble and often ignored concoction of tea has finally taken the trendy crowd by its sweet spell. Or wait, there is more than sweetness…
How the Demand for Home Automation in Hyderabad is Growing Rapidly
Summer vacations back then meant packing your bags and going off to the relatives, but it also meant an amusing episode would be played each time between the parents. ‘Did you switch off the fan?’ ‘Did I switch the fridge off?’ ‘Did you secure the back door?’ These nagging questions between the husband and the…
Why It is Vitally Important to Save the Birds of Kolkata
Retired school teacher, Mala Roy enjoyed feeding flocks of sparrows and mynahs on the terrace of her Chetla home before it was turned into an apartment. Now she doesn’t get to spend much time with her winged friends. “The mess of bird feed upset some of my neighbours, so they complained to the president of…
How the Impact of Social Media is Changing Our Cities
Social networks, since time immemorial, have existed in various forms, including family, relatives, friends, office buddies, and more. Building such networks is an integral part of human nature. However, in the digital era that we’re living in, the proliferation of the internet and smartphones have transformed our social networks like never before. These technologies have altered the…
The Rapid Growth of Co-living Spaces in Our Cities
Jobs and education opportunities are bringing more and more people to urban centres and gateway cities. India has a sizeable annual influx of rural to urban migration rate which was 4.5% in 2011. Jhong Khei from Manipur moved to New Delhi with an eye on his ambition of studying for the civil services exams as…
Are the Citizens Adequately Prepared for a Natural Disaster in Kolkata?
As cyclone Fani was battering the coasts of Odisha recently, gusty winds and rains hit Kolkata leading to waterlogging and traffic congestion in several areas. The monsoons are soon going to arrive and if you are a resident of the city of joy, you know what it means for any natural disaster in Kolkata. Even…
The Rise and Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurship in Hyderabad
Jeyashree Sridhar. The name might not ring any bells but the woman behind this name is an important personality in the world of women entrepreneurship. Why? Because 20 years ago this woman under the guidance of her mother-in-law and with the support of just five other women began a small business initiative that today, boasts…